Jo Konta will face off against fellow Brit Heather Watson in the US Open first round while Andy Murray will play Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan on his Grand Slam return

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An unexpected day off in New York for Jo Konta contained another surprise when she was paired against British Fed Cup colleague Heather Watson in the US Open first round.

Konta was due to play her semi-final of the Western and Southern Open last night, only for it to be postponed following race protests in American sport.

Konta will now face former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka on Thursday for a place in Friday’s final.

Jo Konta has been paired against British Fed Cup colleague Heather Watson in the US Open

Andy Murray will make his return to Grand Slam action against Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka

The draw for the US Open was made on Thursday with Andy Murray back in a major for the first time in more than 18 months.

His fitness will get a thorough workout from world No 48 Yoshihito Nishioka, the speedy Japanese baseliner who plays with dogged consistency. 

Strong tournament favourite Novak Djokovic could face British No 2 Kyle Edmund in the second round, providing the Yorkshireman can find a way past mercurial Ukrainian Alexander Bublik. 

There is also the possibility of a third round between Murray and Dan Evans, who opens against Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth-Wild.

l David Mercer, the former umpire who became one of the sport’s most recognisable commentators, has died suddenly aged 70. 

While men's favourite Novak Djokovic could face British No 2 Kyle Edmund in the second round

Konta will also play No.1 Victoria Azarenka semi-final of the Western & Southern Open