Van Assche edges Lajovic in three sets to reach Cincinnati main draw

Luca Van Assche came through a three-set qualifying final in Cincinnati, taking the opener 7-6, losing his way in a 6-2 second set and then closing out the decider 6-3 against Dusan Lajovic. The Frenchman's serve was the difference in the key moments: he landed 63.2% of first deliveries and won 74.5% of those points, a shade better than the Serbian's 58.5% and 70.9%. Van Assche's eight double faults, against just one from Lajovic, explained the wobble in between, with both men holding steady on second serve at 50.0% and 51.3%. The reward was a place in the main draw.