On a remarkable day for British tennis here in New York, Jodie Burrage completed a perfect clean sweep of wins for Britons at the US Open.
By the time Londoner Burrage upset Russian world No38 Anna Blinkova, six British had players won their first-round matches at Flushing Meadows - and all without dropping a set.
Andy Murray, Katie Boulter, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans, Jack Draper and Burrage followed qualifier Lily Miyazaki into the second round.
The last time so many Britons progressed at the US Open was all the way back in 1977, when Virginia Wade reached the quarter-finals.
Admittedly, the draw was kind to the four men and three women who made it through.
Only Burrage was ranked significantly lower than her opponent but there were still some tricky opponents out there and, given the recent criticism of the state of British tennis, the clean sweep is an impressive feat.
“I felt a little pressure going on the court after obviously all the Brits winning today,” said Burrage, after following up her first Grand Slam win at Wimbledon to beat Blinkova 6-3, 6-4 and put the seal on a perfect day. “I wish I hadn't known that going on, but who knows, maybe it helped me.”
Burrage had to wait around for most of the day while the other British players in action all won – and all in straight sets.
“I did feel the pressure, but it's also a really good day and it puts you in a better mood when other people are winning,” she said. “It makes you believe that you can do it a little bit more I think, as well.”
Burrage’s reward will be a meeting with the second seed Aryna Sabalenka.
While Evans, who beat Daniel Elahi Galan 6-4, 6-2, 7-5, and Jack Draper, who ousted Radu Albot 6-1, 6-4, 6-3, said they were both largely in their own bubbles and were not sure who had won, Burrage was glued to the TV.
“I'm very much following all the results,” she said. “I sat in the changing room. They have a little room with about six TVs. I had Andy and Jack on there. [I] followed the other girls this morning.
“I was back at the hotel for Bolts' match but watched her online, supporting the others to know what's going on and not think about me too much. Especially on a day like today where you're hanging around a lot, you can get inside your own head a little bit I think and think about the match too much. I guess it helped.”
Evans said he thought Miyazaki’s effort in qualifying and winning a round was equally impressive, but when told all seven Britons had won in straight sets, he said: “Really? F****** hell”.
Andy Murray with his 200th Major win and he's into the second round of the US Open 💪pic.twitter.com/bsVFlnbKMx
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) August 29, 2023
Shortly after Murray had battled past Corentin Moutet with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 win, Draper made light of his recent shoulder issues to get the better of Albot.
Draper said: “Definitely having other Brits do well in the draw is amazing for British tennis. We can all push each other to be better.”
Norrie returned to form as he cruised past Alexander Shevchenko 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in one hour, ending a four-match losing streak, stretching back to Wimbledon.
Boulter had set the ball rolling in the first match of the day, beating Diane Parry of France 6-4, 6-0.
