Mejia edges Rocha in three sets to reach Cincinnati main draw

Nicolas Mejia came through a three-set battle in the final round of qualifying at the Cincinnati Masters 1000, beating Henrique Rocha 7-5 4-6 6-3 on hard court. Both men struck 12 aces, but the Colombian was the steadier of the two on serve: he landed 61.4% of his first deliveries against Rocha's 52.3% and coughed up only two double faults to the Portuguese's six. That reliability mattered in the longer rallies, where Mejia won 59% of his second-serve points. After losing the second set, he regrouped to close out the decider and book a place in the main draw.