Sakatsume rallies past Grant to reach US Open qualifying final

Himeno Sakatsume recovered from a set down to beat Tyra Caterina Grant 5-7 6-2 6-3 in the US Open qualifying semifinals. After dropping a tight opener, the Japanese took control by tightening her serve: she landed 61.8% of first deliveries and won 59.2% of those points, against 59.6% and 52.5% for the Italian. The margin behind Grant's serve was the real story, with eight double faults to Sakatsume's four and only 37.5% of second-serve points won. The result put Sakatsume one win away from a place in the main draw at Flushing Meadows.