Samuel breaks more new ground with first win at a Slam

Toby Samuel, a British qualifier, secured his first Grand Slam victory at the US Open with a commanding 6-2 6-3 6-2 win over former world number 20 Tomas Machac. The 23-year-old, who came from a set down in each of his three qualifying matches, struck 24 winners and kept 13 unforced errors, compared to Machac's 22 winners and 25 unforced errors.

Samuel's win marks a significant milestone, as it's his first victory at a Grand Slam event. Two years ago, Samuel was nearly 2,000th in the world rankings due to a bone bruise in his right arm, which sidelined him for much of the 2024 season. He has since rebounded, securing a top-100 ranking in the ATP and earning $140,000 (£103,000) in prize money, the largest payday of his career thus far.

Samuel's recent form includes reaching the semi-finals at the French Open, a Wimbledon wildcard appearance, and a third Challenger title in Winnipeg. His ranking assures his automatic qualification for the Australian Open in January. Samuel's strong performance against Machac, with little clinical errors and a dominant run of games, highlights his growth as a player.