Sakamoto fires 18 aces to beat Clarke in US Open qualifying

Rei Sakamoto dropped the opening set but recovered to beat Jay Clarke 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the US Open qualifying quarterfinals. The Japanese landed only 52.8 percent of his first serves, yet that delivery was close to untouchable when it went in, winning 85.1 percent of those points, and he struck 18 aces to Clarke's two. Seven double faults kept the Briton alive early, but Sakamoto still took 47.6 percent behind his second ball, against just 39.1 percent for Clarke. The result carried Sakamoto within one round of the main draw in New York.