Lee rallies past Lajal in three sets in US Open qualifying

Lee J. recovered from a set down to beat Mark Lajal 4-6 6-3 6-3 in the qualifying quarterfinals at the US Open, turning an early deficit into a comfortable finish across the last two sets. The difference lay behind the first serve: Lajal won 73.2 percent of his first-serve points and struck nine aces, but managed only 28.1 percent behind the second, and his seven double faults kept handing back the initiative. Lee was steadier, landing 67.7 percent of first serves and winning half of his second-serve points. The Estonian's serve, so effective at its best, simply broke down too often, and Lee moved into the next qualifying round.