Murray handed tasty opener against Rosol

Scot will begin bid for fourth grand slam with clash against Czech

Andy Murray will renew an old rivalry with Lukas Rosol after drawing the Czech in the first round of the US Open.

Murray beat world No 82 Rosol in a bad-tempered match at the Munich Open last year, during which the Scot told his opponent: “No-one likes you on the tour, everyone hates you.”

Seeded second in New York, Murray, 29, is also placed in the same half as world No 3 Stan Wawrinka and could meet the Swiss in the semi-finals.

“Yeah I mean, I spoke to him after the match last year, it was fine,” the Olympic gold medallist said.

“Afterwards I just – obviously a few things happened when we were on the court – but we spoke after the match and that was it. I have actually got along fine with him apart from that day and he’s a tough, tough opponent obviously.

“He’s a big, strong guy, he goes for his shots and he takes a lot of risks. It’s a tough opening round, for sure.”

If he comes through, Murray’s route looks relatively kind given he has avoided Rafael Nadal, who landed in the top half with defending champion Novak Djokovic – who has been drawn against Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz – as well as the nightmare early encounter with an unseeded Juan Martin del Potro.

Del Potro, still ranked 142nd in the world as he returns from injury, pushed Murray all the way at the Olympic final in Rio this month but dropped into Wawrinka’s quarter.

Before then, Murray – chasing his fourth grand slam title – could meet Spain’s Marcel Granollers, French baseliner Gilles Simon, veteran Feliciano Lopez and maybe 2014 US Open finalist Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.

Fellow Britons Aljaz Bedene and Kyle Edmund were both handed tough opponents, with Bedene up against Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios and Edmund facing experienced Frenchman Richard Gasquet. Dan Evans plays American wildcard Rajeev Ram.

In the women’s draw, British number one Johanna Konta, now ranked 14th in the world, was drawn against American doubles specialist Bethanie MattekSands.

Britain’s Heather Watson and Naomi Broady will have to wait to find out their first-round opponents after they were both pitted against qualifiers.

Laura Robson’s comeback from injury is gathering pace after she beat Germany’s Tatjana Maria last night to qualify for the first round.

Serena Williams – aiming for a record 23rd grand slam title – has been handed a tricky opening tie against Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova

Pictures: Getty/PA. Andy Murray, top, during practice at Flushing Meadow yesterday as he gets ready to face Lukas Rosol, above, in the opening round.