Toby Samuel Shines at US Open with First Grand Slam Victory; Norrie Exits Early
By Editor • August 30, 2026 • 2 min read
Toby Samuel has made headlines at the US Open, achieving a stunning victory over Tomas Machac in his first main-draw appearance, marking his inaugural win at a Grand Slam event. The 23-year-old British qualifier dominated the match, winning 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in a swift 90 minutes, showcasing his remarkable progress from nearly dropping out of the top 200 just two years ago.
Reflecting on his win, Samuel expressed his excitement, stating, "It means everything to me. It’s what I dreamt of as a kid watching these big tournaments." With this victory, he not only secured a significant prize of $140,000 but also solidified his position within the top 100 of the ATP rankings.
Samuel’s journey to this moment has been remarkable. After overcoming serious injuries that sidelined him for much of 2024, he rebounded by winning 36 of 39 matches on the ATP Challenger Tour last year. His recent performances included a semi-final run at Eastbourne and a successful wildcard entry at Wimbledon.
In addition to his personal triumph, Samuel noted the support of his University of South Carolina teammates during his first-round match, crediting their presence with boosting his confidence. He also mentioned that while his parents were unable to attend due to supporting his brother in the U.S., his father plans to return for his next match.
Meanwhile, the tournament didn’t fare as well for Cameron Norrie, the 29th seed. Norrie faced an early exit after a four-set match against Frenchman Luca Van Assche. Despite taking the first set in a tie-break, he struggled thereafter, accumulating 49 unforced errors compared to Van Assche’s 21. Norrie acknowledged his nerves, stating, "I could never really maintain a good level of energy and momentum. That was super frustrating and pretty surprising."
As the tournament progresses, Samuel is set to face Czech 18th seed Jiri Lehecka in the second round, while British number four Jacob Fearnley awaits resumption of his match against Spain’s Martin Landaluce after rain halted play.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
