Andy Murray will begin his US Open campaign against Uruguayan qualifier Pablo Cuevas when the final grand slam of the year gets under way in New York today.

The 20-year-old British number one, seeded 19th, has a tough draw at Flushing Meadows as he attempts his comeback from the wrist injury that forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon.

He is scheduled to meet number 14 seed Guillermo Canas of Argentina in the third round, while fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko may lie in wait the following round. The Russian knocked Murray out at the same stage last year.

After just three outings since May, with two of those ending in defeat, the chance to play himself into form against clay-court specialist Cuevas in the first round will have come as something of a relief for the Scot.

He could even pick the brains of fellow Briton Jamie Baker, who was beaten by the Uruguayan in the final qualifying round at the USTA National Tennis Center on Friday, where he lost 7-6 (8/6), 6-3.

Murray's coach Brad Gilbert said his charge was now pain free and had been making progress since arriving in New York with some solid practice sessions under his belt.

One practice match last Thursday was with Henman, immediately after the former British number one announced he would retire from tennis after next month's Davis Cup tie against Croatia at Wimbledon.

The news was still a surprise to world number one Roger Federer, however, who revealed on Saturday he was taken aback when Henman approached him for a final hit.

The two have often practised together in the past but the defending three-time US Open champion said: ''It just came out. I didn't know that because I don't read the English papers every day.

''He asked me if I wanted to practice one last time. I told him 'what are you talking about? That's it or what?'

''It was a different kind of a practice, I thought. Almost a bit sad to a point. It's one of our last times we're playing together. I think he was a wonderful player, a wonderful person.

''It's always a pity when somebody like him leaves tennis. I mean, he gave everything he had. In the end, the injuries got the better of him. He's got a great family now, so he's looking forward to his future.''

Federer joked that Henman's level of play during that practice session should make the British veteran reconsider his decision to quit.

Asked if Henman had looked good against him, Federer joked: ''Yeah, too good! That's why he shouldn't retire.

''No, I'm kidding. He knows best. I've had my struggles against him over the years.

''He beat me at Wimbledon. He beat me in my home town twice. He beat me at the places where it hurt me most.

''But I got him back a couple times, which is nice, too.''