Norrie Leads Britain’s Day One Charge — Boulter and Fearnley Loom in New York

The US Open roared into life with the first-wave drama: packed Arthur Ashe and a schedule stacked with big names and hopefuls. Britain’s Cameron Norrie took centre stage early, a measured presence on the hard courts as the tournament began to test stamina and precision under bright lights.

Norrie’s opening display was textbook — heavy forehand, disciplined serve and an eye for neutralising pace — the kind of tennis that wins you three-set battles and grinds opponents down over five. His movement and backhand depth will be crucial if he is to navigate the draw’s trickier second week matchups, and he will need to tighten his return game against the big servers ahead.

Katie Boulter and Fearnley are scheduled later and bring different problems for opponents: Boulter’s aggression and flat hitting can end points quickly, while Fearnley’s consistency and court craft invite errors from more explosive rivals. Evening conditions in New York favour players with heavy, penetrating groundstrokes; both British women must convert early chances and avoid drifting off the baseline.

The Guru’s prediction: Norrie should reach the second week if he maintains serve discipline and reduces unforced errors, Boulter is a coin-flip to progress from her session but has the weaponry to upset, and Fearnley is the dark card — capable of a surprise. Back Norrie for a safe run, take a small play on Boulter if her first serve clicks, and watch Fearnley for value in outright markets.