Four Brits Survive Drama in Flushing Meadows Qualifying
Four British players are a single victory away from earning a spot in the US Open main draw after grinding through their second-round qualifying matches at Flushing Meadows. Jacob Fearnley, Toby Samuel, Harry Wendelken, and Harriet Dart all came from behind at various points to keep their campaigns alive in New York.
Fearnley, currently ranked around 100th in the world, produced the headline performance of the group. Down a break of serve in the opening set against France's Luka Pavlovic, the 25-year-old Scot regrouped to take the first set, then held firm after dropping the second in a tie-break to seal a 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 victory. He now faces Austria's Jurij Rodionov for a main draw berth.
Comebacks and Close Calls Define the Day
Samuel, 23, delivered a remarkable turnaround against fellow Brit Billy Harris, recovering from a dropped opening set to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. It was a strong statement from a player chasing his first US Open main draw appearance, with former top-20 Chilean Cristian Garin next in his path.
Wendelken's match was arguably the most nerve-shredding of the day. Facing a match point at a set and 5-2 down against Switzerland's Remy Bertola, the 24-year-old clawed his way back to win a three-hour battle 5-7, 7-6, 6-4. Dart, ranked 77th, recovered after dropping her opening set against 16-year-old American Kristina Penickova, ultimately cruising through 5-7, 6-0, 6-3.
TennisDraw users tracking the British contingent will want to lock in their qualifying predictions before Wednesday's decisive third-round matches.
