Rain forces further delay at US Open

Weather continued to play havoc with the US Open schedule as rain forced a delay for the second day in succession.

The rain did finally stop and staff began to dry the courts - a laborious process involving various mops and machinery, given the US Open do not cover the courts.

The show courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong and Grandstand were the priority, with matches due to start as soon as each individual court was deemed ready, while organisers were hopeful play on the outside courts would begin by 12.30pm (5.30pm Irish time).

Yesterday no play was possible all day, with the forecast so bad that organisers cancelled both the day and night sessions at lunchtime and scheduled a bumper order of play for today, with all remaining singles players in action.

The players worst affected are in the bottom half of the men’s draw, which includes Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, who are already a round behind.

Both players will be first on court when play does finally resume, with Murray taking on American hope Donald Young and Nadal facing Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller.

The real concern for organisers is that the forecast for the rest of the week is also poor and the chances of the men’s singles final again being delayed until Monday – for the fourth year in a row – must be a distinct possibility.