The event promises a thrilling conclusion to the season as teams clash in a unique knockout format, making every match crucial in the battle for golf’s biggest payday as The Challenge Tour is in Italy
The British charge at the US Open will carry on without Andy Murray as Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov crushed the former champion 6-3 6-4 6-1 on Thursday to reach the third round.
Murray, playing some of his best tennis in years recently, could not match Dimitrov's firepower as he struck 16 winners compared to 32 from the 19th seed.
Dimitrov will next face German Alexander Zverev, who beat his compatriot Daniel Altmaier 7-6 3-6 6-4 6-3.
"I was expecting, honestly, five sets," said Dimitrov, as he advanced the third round of the hardcourt major for the first time since 2019. "He's a tremendous competitor… I'm very happy with the fight."
Murray, 36, made a slow start as Dimitrov broke him to love in the second game but showed resolve when he broke back at the third attempt in an epic 16-minute game.
Dimitrov, however, broke Murray to love in the eighth game and again with a well-placed forehand winner in the opening game of the second set.
Murray, US Open champion in 2012, looked lively in the early stages as he zipped around the court but lost all his energy in the final set.
Up a break, Dimitrov saved two break points in the fourth game before converting another chance in the fifth.
Women’s second seed Aryna Sabalenka dished out more pain for British fans across the plaza at Louis Armstrong Stadium when she knocked out Jodie Burrage in straight sets.
But it was not all bad news for Britain as a dominant Jack Draper upset 17th seed Hubert Hurkacz 6-2 6-4 7-5 and Katie Boulter bounced back to beat Chinese qualifier Yafan Wang 5-7 6-1 6-4.
Draper dropped down the rankings this year compared to 2022 but said he is playing a more "complete" tennis and was grateful to be at Flushing Meadows after he retired from the Winston-Salem tune-up event due to injury.
"There was maybe a 70/30 chance that I wouldn't play this week. So very, very happy with the fact that I have been able to get out there and play," he told reporters.
"It's weird how sort of this sport works. Sometimes you can be at your lowest point and then all of a sudden, you get on a bit of form and you're playing great and body feels good."
ALSO READ:
The event promises a thrilling conclusion to the season as teams clash in a unique knockout format, making every match crucial in the battle for golf’s biggest payday as The Challenge Tour is in Italy
Dynamic duo making waves in the UAE golf community with support for EGF Order of Merit events while balancing competition and social engagement
UAE women's cricket team turned their fortunes around with a memorable triumph in Namibia
Winners edge out Stuart Smith’s squad by a hair in a thrilling 21-team showdown at Yas Links Abu Dhabi as Jackson Bell wins Individual Title
Many City players, including Kevin De Bruyne, Manuel Akanji, and Bernardo Silva, have voiced concerns about the crammed calendar this season
Eleonora clinched the win at the Grand Prix Stuttgart & Region, with a decisive strong sprint
The F1 championship continues at the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend
The Northern Ireland star expresses disappointment in the loss but focuses on positives ahead at Wentworth