The next generation of men’s tennis has made its presence felt at the US Open, with a wave of young talents coming through qualifying to secure their places in the main draw.
Among the standout performers were 20-year-old Japanese prospect Rei Sakamoto and 19-year-old Italian Federico Cina, who both produced impressive victories under pressure to reach the tournament’s main stage.
Sakamoto delivered the biggest result of the qualifying rounds, defeating fellow Japanese star and former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori 6-4, 7-6(3).
The victory earned Sakamoto a place in the US Open main draw for the first time in his career and marked an important milestone for the rising Japanese player.
Cina also showed plenty of composure in a tense final-round encounter. After dropping the opening set, the Italian fought back to defeat China’s Buyunchaokete 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
The result further strengthens Cina’s position in the PIF ATP Live Next Gen Race, where he sits seventh, three places ahead of Sakamoto.
Several other young players also made their way through qualifying, highlighting the growing depth of talent looking to break into the established order of men’s tennis.
Nishesh Basavareddy, Hugo Gaston, Dalibor Svrcina and Tristan Schoolkate were among those who secured their main-draw places.
There was also room for experience, with former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov advancing after Finland’s Otto Virtanen withdrew from their final-round match.
The final list of players advancing through the men’s qualifying draw is:
Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) d. Arthur Gea (FRA) 6-3, 6-1
Coleman Wong (HKG) d. Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 6-4, 6-3
Hugo Gaston (FRA) d. Colton Smith (USA) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
Jurij Rodionov (AUT) d. Jacob Fearnley (GBR) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
Toby Samuel (GBR) d. Cristian Garin (CHI) 4-6, 6-4, 5-0 RET
Francesco Passaro (ITA) d. Shintaro Mochizuki (JPN) 6-4, 6-2
Dalibor Svrcina (CZE) d. Mackenzie McDonald (USA) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) d. Otto Virtanen (FIN) RET
Federico Cina (ITA) d. Buyunchaokete (CHN) 3-6, 6-4, 7-5
Zsombor Piros (HUN) d. Christopher O'Connell (AUS) 5-7, 7-6(3) RET
Harry Wendelken (GBR) d. Vilius Gaubas (LTU) 6-7(3), 7-6(5), 7-6(5)
Lloyd Harris (RSA) d. Pablo Llamas Ruiz (ESP) 7-6(3), 6-3
Tomas Barrios Vera (CHI) d. Daniel Rincon (ESP) 6-4, 6-3
Andrea Guerrieri (ITA) d. Aziz Dougaz (TUN) 6-2, 6-4
Rei Sakamoto (JPN) d. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 6-4, 7-6(3)
Tristan Schoolkate (AUS) d. Liam Draxl (CAN) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(7)
With the qualifying rounds complete, these 16 players now have their chance to make an impact in the US Open main draw.
For Sakamoto and Cina in particular, their breakthrough performances offer an early glimpse of the players who could become the next generation of stars on the ATP Tour.
