Johanna Konta knows there will be no easy matches in her quest for a first Grand Slam success in New York as she leads the British hopes at the US Open.
With Andy Murray absent with injury, Konta is one of five Britons in the first round draw alongside Heather Watson, Kyle Edmund, Aljaz Bedene and qualifier Cameron Norrie.
British number one Konta faces Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic is the opening round on Monday having been ranked seventh for the final Slam of the year – she made the fourth round here at Flushing Meadows in each of the last two years.
It promises to be a stern test for the 26-year-old, who reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon, but it is something she has come to expect.
“There haven't been easy matches for quite some time and I think it's a good thing that people start appreciating and actually noticing it,” she said.
"I think that's a very positive thing for the sport in general."
"I approach every tournament from the get-go that it's going to be tough and I accept that fact.
"I'm not looking for any confirmation or any relief because I've accepted the fact that from my first match, I'm going to have a tough battle."
Elsewhere, Heather Watson faces France’s Alize Cornet looking to reach the second round of the women's singles in New York for the first time in her career.
The 26-year-old hasn’t always found it so difficult at Flushing Meadows, she won the junior US Open title eight years ago, and will take confidence from reaching the mixed doubles final at Wimbledon.
“I’m feeling really good about my game at the moment,” she said. “I’ve been in Florida for the last week and a bit, so I’m feeling super-fit, because it’s so hot there that it’s kind of unbearable.
“I’m quite good friends with her (Cornet) off the court. I’m looking forward to it. She’s a tough one, a fighter, good at making a lot of balls.
“I’m so excited. Everything’s looking good, I’m only looking forward. This year I’ve felt that my game has been good. I love New York. Everything about here is awesome. I love the courts.”
In the men’s draw, British number two Edmund faces the experienced Dutchman Robin Haase in the opening round after reaching the semi-finals of the Winston-Salem Open.
Edmund reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows 12 months ago in his first appearance in the main draw and is the highest ranked male Brit in New York.
The 22-year-old has plenty of British company in the men’s draw though with Bedene facing Andrey Rublev of Russia in the opening round.
Finally, British number five Norrie has made the main draw in his first attempt in qualifying for a Grand Slam event with a 6-1 7-6 (7-5) victory over Go Soeda of Japan.
Norrie, ranked 226 in the world, did not drop a set during his three qualifying matches and faces Russian Dmitry Tursunov for a place in the second round.
Sportsbeat 2017