Toby Samuel’s Remarkable Rise From World No 1,871 to the US Open Second Round

Key Points

• Toby Samuel is in the second round of the 2026 US Open following his win over former world No 20 Tomas Machac in straight sets.
• Machac lost his opening five matches in the British qualifying round in about 90 minutes, giving the Brit his first Grand Slam main-draw win.
• Samuel qualified through three rounds at Flushing Meadows and is now a member of the tournament.
• Since then, the 23-year-old has risen to the world’s top 100 rankings after breaking into the top 100 with a US Open breakthrough.
• Samuel has claimed five ATP Challenger titles and advanced to his first ATP Tour semi-final at the Lexus Eastbourne Open in June on his meteoric rise.
• The Winchester-born player is nicknamed the “Winchester Rifle” due to his strong serve, which could hit Machac at up to 135mph.
• The £140,000 payday, which Sky Sports termed the biggest of his career, has already been earned by his US Open run.
• Samuel had previously been ranked in the first tournament he had played in M15 in Guatemala in 2021, which was a challenging but excellent experience.
• His standing in January 2025 was attributed partially to a long-term arm injury, as he had been as high as about No 400 before the injury.
• He will play 18th seed Jiri Lehecka of Czechia, who beat Pablo Carreno Busta in four sets.
• Samuel has already met another top Czech in the country at Wimbledon this year when he took him to a fifth-set tie-break.
• Samuel’s progress of Samuel was a meteoric rise, and Raz Mirza, a Sky Sports journalist who was covering from Flushing Meadows, captured Samuel’s thoughts on his journey.
• Samuel’s family had an emotional response to his latest achievement and financial breakthrough, which was reported by The Sun’s Associate Sports Features Editor, Rob Maul.
• The official website of the US Open boasts Samuel’s upbringing in the USA before college and victories against some of the top opponents on the planet.
• Samuel tells us that his first objective is to continue to work on his natural power and the other areas he wants to develop, such as his slice and touch.

New York (Britain Today News) September 02, 2026: Britain’s Toby Samuel has reached the second round of the US Open after producing the biggest Grand Slam victory of his career, defeating former world No 20 Tomas Machac 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 and completing one of the most dramatic ranking climbs in British men’s tennis in recent years. As reported by Raz Mirza of Sky Sports, Samuel required only one hour and 32 minutes to defeat the Czech player and move into the next round at Flushing Meadows.

The victory marked Samuel’s first win in a Grand Slam main draw and came after he had negotiated three qualifying rounds to earn his place in the tournament proper. His reward has been a place in the world’s top 100 and a career-best £140,000 payday, according to Sky Sports.

The result is particularly striking because Samuel was ranked 1,871st in the world in January 2025. Since then, the 23-year-old has rebuilt his career, collected five ATP Challenger titles and reached the semi-finals of the Lexus Eastbourne Open in June.

How did Toby Samuel defeat Tomas Machac at the US Open?

Samuel produced an authoritative performance against Machac, combining a powerful serve with aggressive groundstrokes and consistent returning. The scoreline of 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 reflects how little opportunity the Czech player had to establish sustained control over the contest.

According to Sky Sports, Samuel’s serve reached speeds of 135mph, underlining why he has acquired the nickname “Winchester Rifle”. His serving performance was complemented by his ability to attack from the baseline without allowing Machac to dictate long stretches of rallies.

The official US Open website also reported on Samuel’s first-round performance, noting that Machac, a former world No 20 and 2024 Olympic gold medallist in doubles, quickly discovered the range of weapons possessed by the British qualifier. Scott Sode’s report described an early point in which Samuel chased down a drop shot and produced a sharply angled return winner.

The statistics underline Samuel’s superiority. Tennis.com records Samuel winning 77 per cent of points behind his first serve, compared with 53 per cent for Machac. Samuel also converted six of 10 break points, while Machac converted only one of five.

What did Toby Samuel say after his first Grand Slam victory?

Samuel described the achievement as “surreal” when reflecting on how quickly his career has changed.

As reported by Raz Mirza for Sky Sports, Samuel said that when he was ranked 1,871st, he did not expect to be competing at major tournaments so soon. He explained that his original ambition had been to establish himself on the Challenger circuit before his progress accelerated.

“I knew that I had the level to jump up and play here, but obviously not this fast.”

Samuel said, according to Sky Sports.

His comments also reveal the importance of self-belief during the difficult stages of his career. Samuel explained that his college performances had given him confidence because he had previously been among the leading players at university level.

He also linked his dramatic fall in the rankings to injury. Having reached approximately No 400, Samuel suffered an injury that contributed to his ranking dropping to 1,871. Despite that setback, he retained the belief that his playing level was strong enough to return to the professional circuit.

“I’ve always believed in myself, and obviously now it’s paid off.”

Samuel said, as reported by Sky Sports.

How far has Toby Samuel climbed in the world rankings?

Samuel’s ranking transformation provides the clearest measure of his progress.

In January 2025, he was ranked No 1,871. By the time of his US Open breakthrough, he had risen into the top 100, with his live ranking reported at a career-high level following the Machac victory. The official US Open profile listed him around No 109-110 entering the tournament, while Sky Sports reported that the victory moved him into the top 100.

The journey has been built through results rather than a single unexpected performance. Sky Sports reported that Samuel had won five ATP Challenger titles since his ranking was at its lowest point and had reached his first ATP Tour semi-final at Eastbourne in June.

The Eastbourne run was particularly significant because Samuel entered the tournament as a lucky loser and subsequently defeated Thiago Agustin Tirante and Juan Manuel Cerundolo, both of whom were ranked inside the world’s top 55 at the time, according to the official US Open profile.

Those results helped establish that Samuel’s progress was not solely the product of a favourable draw. His performances against higher-ranked opposition had already demonstrated that he could compete successfully at a much higher level.

Where did Toby Samuel’s professional journey begin?

Before competing under the bright lights of Flushing Meadows, Samuel’s professional career included tournaments at the lower levels of the sport.

Reporting from New York, Raz Mirza of Sky Sports recalled Samuel’s first ATP ranking point, earned at an event in Guatemala in 2021 against Chilean player Michel Vernier. Samuel won the deciding set 13-11 and received $258 in prize money.

The Sun’s Rob Maul, Associate Sports Features Editor, provided further detail about that experience, reporting that Samuel had been homesick after the match and had told his mother he wanted to return home after earning his first point. The tournament was an M15 event staged far away from the scale and prestige of a Grand Slam.

Samuel himself has presented that period as an important part of his development rather than something he regrets. He recalled playing late at night, becoming exhausted and saving five match points before eventually winning.

“You have to go through all the tough experiences to be able to play at this level in the end.”

Samuel said, according to Sky Sports.

That memory provides a sharp contrast with his current position. The player who once celebrated a first ranking point earned at a small tournament in Guatemala is now competing in the second round of one of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments.

How did injury affect Samuel’s ranking?

Samuel’s ranking descent was not simply the result of poor results.

Both Sky Sports and The Sun reported that a long-term arm injury contributed significantly to his ranking collapse. The Sun reported that Samuel was ranked 1,871st in January 2025 after the injury, while Sky Sports recorded his explanation that he had previously climbed to around No 400 before being forced backwards by injury.

The subsequent recovery has required Samuel to rebuild through the lower levels of professional tennis. Rather than receiving a direct route into major tournaments, he accumulated ranking points through Challenger events and qualifying competitions.

His five Challenger titles have therefore played a central role in his return. The results provided both ranking points and opportunities to test his game against increasingly stronger opposition.

That progression eventually brought him back into Grand Slam qualifying, where he completed the required three matches at Flushing Meadows before facing Machac in the main draw.

What makes Samuel’s playing style effective?

Samuel’s most obvious weapon is his serve.

The nickname “Winchester Rifle” reflects the speed and power generated by his delivery, and his ability to use that serve to gain short points has become a major part of his game. Against Machac, he repeatedly used his serve to put himself in advantageous positions before attacking with his groundstrokes.

However, Samuel has indicated that his development is not simply about hitting the ball harder.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said his natural power is useful but needs to be controlled. He has therefore focused on becoming a tougher competitor and adding greater variety to his game. His recent work has included improving his slice and touch around the court.

That development could become increasingly important as he moves towards regular competition against established top-20 players. The ability to change tempo, defend effectively and construct points could determine whether his rapid rise develops into sustained success.

What is Samuel’s Grand Slam record before the US Open?

Samuel arrived in New York with limited Grand Slam experience but had already shown signs that he could challenge established players.

The LTA reported that the US Open was Samuel’s third Grand Slam main-draw appearance. Earlier in 2026, he came through qualifying at the French Open before making his Wimbledon main-draw debut after receiving a wildcard.

At Wimbledon, Samuel faced Czech player Jakub Mensik in the opening round. The official US Open profile reported that Samuel pushed Mensik, who had reached the French Open semi-finals, to a fifth-set tie-break after a contest lasting four hours and 21 minutes.

The Wimbledon defeat nevertheless provided Samuel with another indication that his game could compete against players already established inside the ATP top 20.

His victory over Machac represents a further step because it converted that competitiveness into a Grand Slam win.

Who will Toby Samuel face in the second round?

Samuel’s second-round opponent is Jiri Lehecka, the Czech Republic’s 18th seed.

Lehecka advanced by defeating Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in four sets. Sky Sports reported that the Czech player will now meet Samuel in the next round.

The official US Open website highlighted the unusual connection between Samuel and Czech tennis. After facing Machac, Samuel will have played all three of the highest-ranked Czech players within a period of roughly two months, with his earlier meeting against Mensik coming at Wimbledon.

There is no previous head-to-head record between Samuel and Lehecka, meaning the second-round meeting represents a first encounter between the pair. Current tournament data lists Lehecka around No 19 in the ATP rankings and Samuel around No 110 in the pre-match rankings.

Samuel recognises the scale of the challenge. He told Sky Sports that Lehecka is among the leading players and possesses major weapons, adding that his objective will be to prevent the Czech from controlling the match on his terms.

What did Tim Henman say about Samuel’s rise?

Former British No 1 Tim Henman has also praised Samuel’s progress.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Henman highlighted the difficulty of entering a Grand Slam through qualifying and then defeating a player of Machac’s quality while losing only seven games. He described the next stage as another major opportunity for Samuel because of the ranking points and prize money available.

Henman’s assessment also emphasised the practical significance of Samuel’s success. A deep Grand Slam run can provide not only ranking points but additional financial resources that a player can reinvest in coaching, travel, fitness and the wider professional team.

For Samuel, the immediate priority is therefore both competitive and developmental: use the opportunity to test himself against Lehecka while continuing the upward trajectory that has defined the past 20 months.

How has Samuel’s family reacted to his breakthrough?

The achievement has also produced an emotional response within Samuel’s family.

Rob Maul of The Sun reported that Samuel’s mother became emotional after hearing about her son’s progress and his £140,000 payday. Samuel’s parents had travelled to New York for his qualifying campaign but returned to the UK before the second-round match.

According to Maul’s report, Samuel’s father was planning to return to New York for the Lehecka match, while his mother intended to remain at home because she is uncomfortable flying.

Samuel told The Sun that his mother had sent him a voice message in which she was crying. He said the reaction was meaningful to him after the difficult stages of his career.

The family story adds another dimension to a sporting breakthrough that has already involved injury, lower-level tournaments, extensive travel and a dramatic ranking recovery.
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Can Toby Samuel continue his extraordinary US Open run?

Samuel’s victory over Machac guarantees that his US Open campaign will continue into the second round, but the challenge now becomes considerably greater.

Lehecka entered the tournament as the 18th seed and is an established top-20 player, creating a significant contrast with Samuel’s status as a qualifier. Tournament data lists the two players with no previous meetings, making the contest a new tactical test for both.

Samuel, however, enters the match with considerable momentum. He won three qualifying matches before defeating Machac in the main draw, meaning he has already accumulated a sequence of victories at Flushing Meadows. His recent competitive record also includes his breakthrough performances in Eastbourne and a string of Challenger successes.

The result against Machac has already transformed the narrative around his US Open campaign. He is no longer simply a qualifier making his Grand Slam debut. He is a top-100 player preparing to face a seeded opponent after defeating a former world No 20.

Sky Sports reported that Samuel intends to use the next few days to rest and practise before concentrating on areas of his game that could help him against Lehecka.

Whatever happens against the Czech seed, Samuel’s rise from No 1,871 in January 2025 to the second round of the US Open represents a remarkable turnaround. His journey from an M15 event in Guatemala, where his first ranking point came with modest prize money, to a packed Grand Slam stage illustrates the scale of his progress.

For British tennis, the immediate significance is equally clear: Samuel has emerged as a new name capable of competing at the highest level. His victory over Machac has provided the breakthrough result, while the meeting with Lehecka will offer a more demanding measure of how far that rise can go.