US Open: British Pair Ward and Baltacha Take Step Closer to Qualification

British duo James Ward and Elena Baltacha have progressed to the second round of qualifying at the US Open.

The last Grand Slam of the year officially begins at Flushing Meadows on 26 August and British number two Ward is a step closer to joining reigning champion Andy Murray after a comfortable 6-3 6-1 victory over Jonathan Eysseric.

30-year-old Baltacha was pushed further as she needed three sets to beat American Melaine Oudin 6-1 2-6 6-2 before progressing, with both Bits now just two more victories away from a spot in the main draw in the US Open in New York.

26-year-old Ward must overcome the challenge of Matthais Bachinger of Germany in the next round while Baltacha, who is the sixth highest ranked British woman at 244, awaits the challenge of Olga Savchuk of Ukraine.

The British trio of Dan Evans, Tara Moore and Samantha Murray are also bidding to take a step closer to the tournament proper, all competing in qualifying action on Wednesday.

Evans will take Peter Polanski, Moore will attempt to overcome the challenge of Catalina Castano while Murray has been drawn against Arina Rodionova.

World number 112 Johanna Konta will not be joining the British contingent however, after succumbing to defeat to a player ranked 40 places below her. The 22-year-old is out after a 7-5 6-4 defeat to Olivia Rogowska of Australia.

Laura Robson, who progressed through to the fourth round of the competition at Flushing Meadows last year, will be seeded at a major for the first time next week alongside Heather Watson as Britain's only current female representation.

Ward and Evans will be hoping to join world number two Andy Murray as he attempts to defend his US Open crown, having been seeded third behind Rafael Nadal and top seed Novak Djokovic. The Scot dropped from second in the rankings after Nadal's success at the Cincinnati Open.