Ristic edges Akli in three sets in US Open qualifying

Mia Ristic came through a swinging three-setter to beat Ayana Akli 6-3 1-6 6-4 in the final qualifying round at the US Open. The middle set belonged entirely to Akli, who was the more punishing player behind her first delivery all afternoon, winning 78.0 percent of those points to Ristic's 67.9. The difference came on the second ball, where Ristic took 45.7 percent against Akli's 41.9 and struck three aces to one, with just two double faults to her opponent's three. The win carried Ristic through the qualifying quarterfinals on hard courts in New York.