US Open Consider Monday Finish

The US Open could become the first Grand Slam to switch permanently to a Monday finish.

The option is being considered after calls from top players for a day off between the semis and the final.

The last four men's finals have been postponed through rain and five-times champion Roger Federer said: "It's the right move for our sport.

"I am pleased that the USTA is listening to the players, and I am very encouraged with these developments."

The US Tennis Association has started talks with broadcaster CBS and tournament director Jim Curley said: "We're just getting into this process and right now everything is on the table."

In last month's final at Flushing Meadow, Novak Djokovic had to wait until Monday to beat Rafael Nadal after the tournament was disrupted by heavy rain.

A lot of flaws have shown up, but it would be time to say: 'This is meant to be the biggest match or one of the biggest matches in tennis, and it's messed up because of the schedule'Andy Murray speaking at the US Open

Britain's world number three Andy Murray, who reached the semi-final at Flushing Meadow before losing to Nadal, has suggested that the players might support strike action over the crowded calender.

And there have since been calls for a summit meeting the thrash out the players' grievances.

Murray criticised the US Open scheduling at the time, saying: "If something happens to a player and the final turns out to be an absolute dead match because someone's so tired, I think it would show up.

"A lot of flaws have shown up, but it would be time to say: 'This is meant to be the biggest match or one of the biggest matches in tennis, and it's messed up because of the schedule.'"

One proposal is to move the men's final from Sunday to Monday and the women's final from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon.

Another move could be to switch the men's semi-final to Friday and keep the final in its traditional Sunday afternoon spot.

At the US Open, two men's semi-finals and the women's final are all played on "Super Saturday" followed by the men's final on Sunday.

The three other Grand Slams ­- Wimbledon, the French Open and the Australian Open - hold the women's semi-finals on Thursday, the men's semi-finals on Friday, the women's final on Saturday and the men's final on Sunday.

A decision must be made by April if there is to be a change in 2012 and Curley added: "It might not happen in '12. It might happen in '13. I just want to be clear that the goal is to get this done."

Serena Fined for Final Outburst

Serena Williams has been fined $2,000 (£1,265) and avoided a Grand Slam ban for her tirade at umpire Eva Asderaki in the US Open final.

Sam Stosur won the match 6-2 6-3 after Williams was given a code violation.

Williams was on a two-year probation for a similar outburst in 2009.

The incident occurred when the American looked to have saved a break point, but her cry of "Come on!" was judged to have come before Stosur had a chance to get the ball back.

The point - and the game, the first of the second set - subsequently went to the Australian for "intentional hindrance" and a furious Williams aimed an angry tirade at Greek official Asderaki.

Williams, 29, who received a cheque for $1.4m (£885,000) for coming runner-up at Flushing Meadows, was consequently given a code violation.

At the end of the game she continued to berate the umpire, saying "You're out of control. You're a hater, and you're just unattractive inside."

US Tennis Association (USTA) tournament director Brian Earley fined Williams $2,000 and Grand Slam committee director Bill Babcock agreed with the penalty after reviewing the incident.

"The Grand Slam committee director has determined that Ms Williams' conduct, while verbally abusive, does not rise to the level of a major offence under the Grand Slam code of conduct," said a USTA statement.

Asked about her reaction after the match, Williams said: "I don't even remember what I said, it was just so intense out there.

"It's the final for me, and I was just - I have to go - I guess I'll see it on YouTube. I don't know. I was just in the zone. I think everyone, when they play, they kind of zone out kinda thing. I don't know, I'll see it later, I'm sure."

She added: "We live for these moments, you know. Everyone lives to be, you know, in the final of Wimbledon or the final at the US Open. Whatever happens in that moment, you live for them and we breathe for them, and hopefully I'll be back for them."

Stosur, 27, admitted that she had been surprised by the incident, saying: "I didn't really know what was going on. I was just there. I know about the rule but I have never had to deal with it before."

Three-time champion Williams earned $900,000 (£567,000) for reaching the US Open final, plus a $500,000 (£315,000) bonus for finishing first in the standings of the US Open Series, which takes into account results at hard-court tournaments.

Williams was fined £53,000 and put on a probationary period at the four major championships in 2010 and 2011 after verbally abusing an official over a foot-fault call in her semi-final defeat by Kim Clijsters at the 2009 US Open.

WILLIAMS'S TIRADE AT UMPIRE:

"If you ever see me walking down the hall look the other way. You're out of control, you're a hater and you're unattractive inside."

"Who would do such a thing? And I never complain. Wow. What a loser."

"You get a code violation because I express my end, we're in America the last time I checked."

"Can I have a water? Or am I going to get violated for drinking a water? Really don't even look at me."

Djokovic Claims US Open Title

Novak Djokovic continued his remarkable season by dethroning Rafael Nadal to claim his maiden US Open title in New York.

The world number one became only the sixth man in history to win three majors in the same year following a breathtaking 6-2 6-4 6-7 (3/7) 6-1 victory in over four hours of pulsating action at Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic, a three-time runner-up at the event, made it fourth time lucky and lifted his 10th title of a sensational year after an inspired display against 2010 champion Nadal.

The Serb looked in trouble after losing the third set on a tie-breaker and then required treatment on his back, however that only served to inspire the 24-year-old, who raced through the fourth set 6-1 to be crowned king of New York.

Nadal, who had lost all five of this year's meetings with Djokovic heading into the match, made the perfect start in his quest for a 11th grand slam title when he broke the Serb's opening service game at the first time of asking.

However, he could not have anticipated the response from Djokovic, who went on to reel off the next six games to take the opening set in 53 minutes.

Djokovic lost his opening service game of the second set, but, after squandering five break points, he broke at the sixth time of asking to trail 2-1 in a game which lasted over 17 minutes.

The pattern of the second set began to replicate the first when Djokovic won four games in a row to move 4-2 ahead, however Nadal, showing the guts and determination we are all accustomed to, fashioned a break point of his own in the eighth game and took it with a sizzling backhand winner down the line.

But, the Spaniard's struggles on serve continued, and, after three forehand misses, Nadal was broken again when Djokovic struck a sweetly-timed forehand winner of his own.

The same shot handed the top seed the second set 6-4, and the celebration which followed perfectly illustrated just how important that set was in the context of the match.

In the do-or-die third set, Nadal saw his serve broken in the third game, however yet again he hit straight back to defy anyone who may have foolishly expected the stylish southpaw to surrender.

Four successive breaks of serve were traded in the set, but when Djokovic broke for a 6-5 lead, it seemed certain he would serve out the Championship.

However, in yet another twist, Nadal broke again and with the momentum and crowd behind him, took the ensuing tie-break 7/3 to force a decider.

Djokovic received treatment for an apparent back problem before the start of the fourth set and took a full medical time-out after holding serve in the opening game.

But with everything now seemingly in Nadal's favour, Djokovic defied the odds to break for a 2-0 lead on his fifth break point - his second having gone begging when a broken string sent a forehand sailing long.

The Serb was rejuvenated and broke Nadal again in the sixth game for a 5-1 lead and a second chance to serve out for the title.

This time there was to be no mistake and a forehand winner sealed a dramatic victory in front of a packed-out crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Incredible

Speaking moments after his way, Djokovic said: "It's an incredible, incredible feeling. I've had an amazing year and it keeps going but every time I play Rafa it's a big challenge and I want to congratulate him on a great tournament.

"I wish we have many more tough matches in upcoming years."

Nadal paid tribute to Djokovic, adding: "Obviously I'm disappointed but this guy is doing unbelievable things so congratulations Novak and your team for everything. What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat.

"I try my best in every moment, these kind of matches are very difficult, it brings your body to the limit.

"I tried to play great but he always makes a fantastic comeback. That's tennis, I tried my best and am happy with what I did. I ran to every ball and fought until the last ball.

"This year I lost a lot of finals against him but I won a lot in the past and the only thing I can do is try my best every day to keep improving and for sure I will come back next year and try my best."

Serena Stunned by Stosur

Samantha Stosur stunned home favourite Serena Williams 6-2 6-3 to claim her maiden grand slam title in an ill-tempered women's US Open final.

The ninth seed clinched victory with a crunching forehand winner after one hour and 13 minutes to become the first Australian woman to win in New York since Margaret Court back in 1973.

A disgruntled Williams, the red-hot favourite going into the final, will now wait to find out if she will be punished for unleashing another verbal rant at an official at the start of the second set.

Stosur, whose previous best run at a Grand Slam was a runner-up finish at Roland Garros last year, started strongly and broke Williams in the third game after a succession of booming groundstrokes from the back of the court.

For years it has been Serena and sister Venus who have bullied players with their power hitting, however it was Stosur who was timing the ball sweeter throughout the opening exchanges.

Williams was only making 30 per cent of her first serves by the fifth game and the American was relieved to see her opponent squander another break point opportunity.

Memorable

At 4-2 ahead, Stosur had only dropped three points on serve, but Serena was finding life much more difficult and a 10th unforced error handed Stosur three more break points, of which she took the first, to move 5-2 ahead.

Stosur won 12 points in a row to take the first set in 30 minutes, but it was at the start of the second where the match exploded into life.

Defending another break point on her opening service game, Williams was left seething after she had a point reversed by umpire Eva Asderaki.

The three-time champion struck a forehand winner but the point was handed to Stosur after the American was penalised for screaming 'come on' with the ball still in play.

Williams, who is still playing under a suspended ban after abusing a line judge at Flushing Meadows last year, unleashed a verbal rant at the chair umpire this time, and the incident appeared to re-energise the 29-year-old who broke back instantly.

With the packed-out Arthur Ashe crowd roaring her on, Williams then failed to take either of the two break points opened up on Stosur's next service game, and that was to prove costly.

The world No.10 from Queensland broke Williams for a fourth time in the seventh game and held her nerve to complete a memorable and thoroughly deserved victory.

Speaking after her breakthrough win, Stosur said: "I guess I had one of my best days. I'm very fortunate to have been able to do it on this stage in New York, where i've always loved to play.

"It was a dream of mine to be here one day and I don't know what to say to describe how I'm feeling."

A magnanimous Williams added: "She played, really, really well. I tried my hardest but she just kept hitting winners."

Speaking on the controversial moment at the start of the second set, Williams said: "I hit a winner but I guess it didn't count. It wouldn't have mattered in the end, Sam played really well."

Murray Loses Semi to Nadal

Andy Murray suffered a third successive Grand Slam semi-final defeat to Rafael Nadal, going down 4-6 2-6 6-3 2-6 at Flushing Meadows.

The British fourth seed had fancied his chances against a frequent foe on concrete after defeats on clay and grass but despite a third-set fightback, the tale turned out to be all-too familiar - one of the Spaniard's superiority when it mattered most.

Nadal arrived yet to drop a set in the tournament and though that run was ended, he delivered another masterclass of strength in mind and body, while Murray expended too much early energy through his own frustration.

He failed to take a break point in the fifth game, before surrendering his own serve in the next, and squandered three more chances early in the second set, the third and best one weakly stabbed into the net.

Superhuman

The Scot's hopes were fading as quickly as the sun on the New York skyline when he volleyed wide to go 2-3 down and then went long at 2-5 to gift Nadal the double break.

But Nadal's superhuman levels finally dropped at the start of the third set - as they had at Wimbledon - and a fist-pumping Murray's belief seemed restored when he broke at 5-3 and went on to halve the deficit with a brave volley.

An increasingly raucous New York crowd roared on the Scot but he wilted in the fourth set, fatigue from his gruelling last-eight win over John Isner seemingly setting in.

He fought back from 40-0, even winning a point with a broken string to force a break point in the third game but could only net a backhand and the momentum shifted back across the court.

A double fault in the next game gave Nadal the break and the boost he needed and though Murray staved off three break points in the sixth game, it merely delayed the inevitable.

Serena Smashes Wozniacki's Hopes

Serena Williams set up a US Open final clash against Samantha Stosur with a dominant 6-2 6-4 victory over top seed Caroline Wozniacki under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The players did not take to the court until 10pm following the lengthy men's semi-finals and Williams, who hit 11 aces and 34 winners in total, was not in a mood to hang around.

It was a match that pitted the world number one against the player most people consider to be the best in the world, and the size of Wozniacki's task soon became clear.

Williams served three aces in her first two service games alone, and then set about breaking the Wozniacki serve, which she managed on her fourth opportunity.

The Dane was relying on her athleticism and powers of defence but Williams simply had too much power and, after treatment to her problematic right foot, she broke Wozniacki again to move 5-1 ahead.

Winners

The 21-year-old managed the not inconsiderable feat of breaking the Williams serve but the set was over moments later, with a tally of zero winners for Wozniacki and 18 for her opponent rather telling the story.

Williams got another flying start to the second set with an early break but Wozniacki was at least trying to play a bit closer to the baseline now and she hung onto her serve to force the American to serve it out at 5-3.

And rather surprisingly she could not do it, handing Wozniacki a break with a big double fault.

That still left the world number one having to hold to level, though, and Williams was not about to let another opportunity slip, sealing victory on her first match point with a return that was too hot for Wozniacki.

Murray Hopes to End Nadal Run

Britain's Andy Murray is confident he can end his losing run against Rafael Nadal and beat the defending champion to reach the US Open final.

The Scot, 24, takes on Nadal in the second semi-final not before 1945 BST on Saturday, after Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer meet at 1700 BST.

A rescheduled 'Super Saturday' will also see the women's semis take place.

Following heavy rain earlier in the week, the women's final has been moved to Sunday and the men's to Monday.

The late change to the schedule has not gone down well with all the players, and the fact that the secondary Louis Armstrong Stadium is out of action due to a water leak means that Stosur and Kerber have been relegated to the third Grandstand stadium.

They will begin at 2300 BST, with world number one Caroline Wozniacki taking on tournament favourite and three-time champion Serena Williams at 0000 BST on the main Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Apparently unhappy, Australian ninth seed Stosur posted on Facebook: "I think my Semi Final is at 6pm on Grandstand, if anyone wants to watch the ONLY SEMI FINAL not on Arthur Ashe Stadium, come out tomorrow."

There are no such issues for the men who, following the complaints of several leading players, have seen their final moved to Monday, allowing the semi-final winners an unexpected rest on Sunday.

"I almost would have preferred it if they just left it just as it was on the Sunday, because now the guys on the other half are playing like a normal Slam," said Murray. "They're playing one day on, one day off, you know, from the quarter-finals onwards.

Murray and Nadal have met 16 times with the Spaniard winning 12 of those matches, but on hard courts his lead is only 5-4.

"If they kept it as it was, they would have had to play three days in a row and we would have had to play four days in a row."

Murray goes into his match against Nadal trailing 12-4 in career meetings, and having lost the last four including semi-final defeats at Wimbledon and the French Open this year.

But by defeating John Isner on Friday, the Briton became only seventh man to get to the semis of all the Grand Slams in the same year, and he takes confidence from having beaten Nadal in the US Open semi-finals three years ago.

"I've beaten him before in the semis," said Murray. "I won against him also at the Australian Open. And when I've won against him, it's always been on hard courts.

"It's a good surface for me to play him on. Obviously at the French I would go into that match not being a favourite; then Wimbledon I've got a chance, but his record has been great there. I think on the American hard courts it's a close, close match-up."

Djokovic and Federer meet for the fifth year in a row at the US Open, with the Swiss having won the 2007 final and two subsequent semis before Djokovic edged a dramatic semi-final last year.

Federer since became the first man to beat Djokovic this year in the French Open semi-finals in June.

"It's pretty straightforward, said Federer. "I think we're both going to play aggressive. He's moving well. He's probably taken his game up to a higher level, but mostly in terms of confidence.

"He's been having an amazing season, so it's a challenge right now in the men's game. That's what I like, who I like to play against."

SUPER SATURDAY LINE-UP

Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer from 1700 BST

Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray from not before 1945 BST

Sam Stosur v Angelique Kerber from 2300 BST

Serena Williams v Caroline Wozniacki from 0000 BST

Murray Match Delayed by Rain

Andy Murray must wait until 1600 BST on Wednesday to resume his US Open campaign after heavy rain meant the entire day nine schedule was cancelled.

Murray was due to face Donald Young in round four on Tuesday but the poor weather prevented play on any courts.

"The forecast indicates worsening conditions with no projected breaks in the rain through the day and into the night," read a US Open statement.

The men's final has taken place on the third Monday for the past three years.

Bad weather is once again affecting this year's schedule, and a packed order of play for Wednesday begins with Nadal facing Gilles Muller on Arthur Ashe Stadium while home favourite Andy Roddick takes on fifth seed David Ferrer on Louis Armstrong.

Murray and Young have been moved from Arthur Ashe Stadium to the third show court, the Grandstand, with all three matches taking place at 1600 BST.

The remaining men's fourth-round clash between John Isner and Gilles Simon follows Murray's match, while all four women's quarter-finals and the first two men's quarters are set to be played - weather permitting.

More rain, however, is expected at Flushing Meadows.

"We're playing it by ear, half-hour by half-hour, trying to get them on," said tournament referee Brian Earley before play was called off.

"We need the bottom half of the men's draw played as quickly as we can. The other half of the men's draw and the whole of the women's draw are into the quarter-finals already.

"I'm confident of finishing the men's tournament on Sunday and the women's on Saturday. There are some challenges down the road but we'll take it one day at a time."

Unless the men's final is pushed back, Murray will have to win four best of five-set matches in five days if he is to lift the title.Young is in the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time

He and Young, 22, will be going head-to-head for the second time, with the American wildcard looking to repeat his shock victory over Murray in Indian Wells in March.

"It's a big match for me," said the 24-year-old Scot. "He's talented, so he can hit winners from all parts of the court. That's why he's dangerous.

"He comes forward pretty well, he volleys good, he's got nice feel around the net and he's got quite easy power, which can be sometimes difficult.

"Guys look like they're not winding up to hit a big shot, and he can create quite a lot of power. He's got a big first serve when he goes for it, but he can be a little bit inconsistent as well.

"He's flashy. He can get on a roll. He's tough."

World number four Murray, who needed five sets to get past Robin Haase in round two, booked his place in the fourth round with a comfortable straight-sets win over Feliciano Lopez on Sunday.

And he is now keen to make amends for the defeat by Young in March, which was followed by another shock loss against Alex Bogomolov Jr in Miami as the Briton struggled to deal with defeat in January's Australian Open final.

Murray in Straight Sets Win

Britain's Andy Murray opened his US Open campaign with a straight-sets victory over Somdev Devvarman of India.

Murray, the number four seed, was made to work hard in the early stages but came through 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 6-3.

The 24-year-old Scot was broken in his opening service game but recovered to take the first set on a tie-break.

And with his forehand a particularly effective weapon, Murray dominated the latter stages to set up a meeting with Dutchman Robin Haase in round two.

After waiting until day three to begin his campaign, Murray found Devvarman a stiff test on a hot afternoon in New York.

Murray made a nervous start, dropping serve immediately, and even after getting back on level terms at 3-3 he struggled to break free of the world number 64.

It came down to a tie-break and Devvarman had his chance at 3-1, but a double-fault brought Murray level and the Briton went on to convert his third set point.

The first set had lasted 70 minutes and when Devvarman recovered an early break of serve in the second, a gruelling encounter beckoned, but the Murray forehand began to dictate and he broke twice more to take the set.

A double-break took Murray 4-0 clear in the third set and he would need that cushion after dropping serve at 5-3 with a loose game, eventually converting his second match point after two hours and 27 minutes.

Djokovic Through as Niland Retires

Conor Niland

Novak Djokovic spent just 44 minutes securing his place in round two of the US Open as Ireland's Conor Niland was forced to retire because of illness.

Niland came through qualifying and was playing the biggest match of his life, but walked onto court apparently suffering with food poisoning.

And when Djokovic went 6-0 5-1 up, an ailing Niland admitted defeat.

"I've been feeling pretty rotten for a couple of days and basically it was bad timing," Niland told BBC Radio 5 live.

Asked if he had considered not playing the match, Niland added: "It was something I wanted to do. I thought maybe if there was a miracle I could do OK, but I wasn't able to eat the last two days so I had nothing in my legs energy-wise.

"It was great to qualify. I got a lot out of it and I still got quite a bit out of today.

"Obviously the timing seems pretty cruel to me. I've been a couple of years without getting any sort of food poisoning and to get it two days before the biggest match of my career seems pretty weird."

Not surprisingly, Djokovic had contrasting emotions, saying: "I felt great on the court, and that's something that's really important for the start of the tournament. Today was a great opening performance."

And asked about the shoulder injury that forced him to retire from the recent Cincinnati final, he added: "Today I didn't feel any pain. I served well and I played well, so I have no concern."

Fifth seed David Ferrer and 11th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga made it through, while Rafael Nadal plays later.

Frenchman Tsonga enjoyed a 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory over Yen-Hsun Luof Taiwan opponent to win and set up a meeting with Sergei Bubka, who beat Andreas Haider-Maurer.

Spain's Ferrer will play Jesse Huta Galung or James Blake after seeing off Igor Andreev 2-6 6-3 6-0 6-4.

"That was really good," said Tsonga after beating Lu in two hours and nine minutes on Grandstand court.

"He was a tough opponent and I'm happy to win in straight sets. I've had good preparation - I played well in Montreal, not so well in Cincinnati but I had good time to recover and practice well.

"I feel ready, fit and hopefully I will have some good moments here at the US Open. I feel good here, the fans support me and I hope to do well for them."

Stanislas Wawrinka, the 14th seed who beat Andy Murray in New York last year and could face a rematch with the Briton in round four, beat Maximo Gonzalez 3-6 6-4 6-1 6-3.

And Latvia's Ernests Gulbis had an impressive 6-2 6-4 6-4 win over 16th seed Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.

Wozniacki Makes Winning Start

World number one Caroline Wozniacki produced a commanding display against Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives as she made a winning start at the US Open.

Wozniacki won 6-3 6-1 on Arthur Ashe Stadium and will play Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands in round two.

There was a shock on Louis Armstrong Stadium as former junior number one Simona Halep of Romania beat sixth seed and French Open champion Li Na 6-2 7-5.

Title favourite Serena Williams plays Bojana Jovanovski in the night session.

Wozniacki suffered two first-round defeats on her arrival in North America after Wimbledon and was thankful for ending that run with a fourth consecutive New Haven title last week.

"Yeah, I've gotten a couple of losses, but that's what happens," she said.

"I tried a few things that didn't work out but I came back last week and won in New Haven, which was a great feeling.

"I'm number one still and I've just won a tournament, so I'm feeling fine, I'm feeling good."

The American missed last year's US Open and her lengthy absence from the sport meant she has been seeded down at 29th.

Fourth seed Victoria Azarenka and 11th seed Jelena Jankovic also progressed on Tuesday, Azarenka beating Sweden's Johanna Larsson 6-1 6-3 and Jankovic defeating Alison Riske of the United States 6-2 6-0.

"There are always things that could have been done better, but I think I had a pretty solid start," said Azarenka, who could face Serena Williams in the third round.

"I'm not interested about that before I go out there," the Belarusian said of that potential match. "We'll talk about it later maybe."

Wimbledon semi-finalist and 22nd seed Sabine Lisicki eased past Alona Bondarenko 6-3 6-3 to set up a second-round meeting with the unseeded Venus Williams.

Germany's Andrea Petkovic, the 10th seed, defeated Ekaterina Bychkova of Russia 6-2 6-2.

Flushing Meadows Escapes Irene

The US Open will start on Monday as planned after Flushing Meadows escaped serious damage from Tropical Storm Irene, officials said on Sunday.

The storm surged through New York in the early hours of Sunday morning, but the city avoided the heavy devastation which had been feared.

"Minimal damage" was caused to the US Open site, officials said.

"We are preparing for the gates to open at 10am [1500 BST] as scheduled," the US Tennis Association said.

"Play around the grounds will commence as close to 11am [1600 BST] as possible."

The first match at the main Arthur Ashe Stadium will start at 1pm

McEnroe Sees Murray US Chance

John McEnroe believes this year's US Open presents Andy Murray with the best chance to break his grand slam duck.

The fourth seed goes into the year's final major, which starts on Monday, as the in-form player of the big four after beating an ailing Novak Djokovic in the final of the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati last weekend.

It was only the world No 1's second defeat in 59 matches this season and the shoulder injury that forced Djokovic to retire in the second set must put a question mark over his chances of winning a third grand slam of the year.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have struggled on the US hard courts so far, with both failing to make it past the quarter-finals in Montreal or Cincinnati.

All of which leaves Murray, a US Open finalist in 2008 and junior champion four years ago, looking in good shape to end his grand slam drought.

Speaking at the draw, four-time US Open champion McEnroe said: "The hungriest man in the draw should be Murray. I think this is his best shot to win one."

Murray will meet Indian world No 64 Somdev Devvarman for the first time in the opening round and his route to the latter stages is likely to involve clashes with Feliciano Lopez and Stanislas Wawrinka, the man who beat him in the third round 12 months ago.

Robin Soderling or Juan Martin Del Potro are potential quarter-final opponents and for the sixth grand slam in a row Murray finds himself in the same half of the draw as Nadal.

The Spaniard opens the defence of his title against Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev while world No 1 Djokovic meets a qualifier and third seed Roger Federer takes on Santiago Giraldo of Colombia.

In the women's draw, all eyes were on where 28th seed Serena Williams would slot in, and the first really big match of this year's tournament is likely to be between the three-time champion and fourth seed Victoria Azarenka in the third round.

Of the three British women who gained direct entry into the main draw - the most for 19 years - Heather Watson was given by far the toughest task with a clash against third seed Maria Sharapova.

British No 1 Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong will both fancy their chances after being drawn against US wild card Jamie Hampton and South Africa's Chanelle Scheepers, respectively.

They could yet be joined by Laura Robson and Naomi Broady, whose second-round qualifying clashes fell victim to the wet weather at Flushing Meadows yesterday.

There is likely to be much worse to come, with Hurricane Irene heading for New York and predicted to hit the city on Sunday evening.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said: "We are reviewing the flood plan for the US Open at Flushing Meadows Corona Park."

Kim Clijsters Out of US Open

Defending champion Kim Clijsters has withdrawn from the US Open with a stomach muscle injury.

"Unfortunately, I will not be able to defend my US Open title this year," the Belgian, a three-time winner at Flushing Meadows, said in a statement.

"Two weeks of rehab was not enough. Obviously I'm very disappointed. I trained very hard this summer and felt in a good shape to play."

The final major of the year starts on Monday 29 August.

Clijsters is unbeaten in 21 matches at the US Open having won the title first in 2005 before missing three years through injury and a period in retirement. She returned in 2009 to reclaim the title and defended her crown in 2010.

It has been an injury-hit season for the world number three, who missed most of the clay-court season and Wimbledon with an ankle injury before being forced out of last week's tournament in Toronto with the stomach problem.

"Now there is nothing else I can do than to rest and have treatment every day," added the 28-year-old.

"If a gradual approach is not taken, I will relapse, and therefore I have also no other possibility than to withdraw from the tournaments in Tokyo and Beijing."