Passaro beats Mochizuki 6-4 6-2 to reach US Open main draw

Francesco Passaro came through the US Open qualifying final in straight sets, edging a tight opener 6-4 before pulling clear 6-2 against Shintaro Mochizuki. The Italian's serve was the difference: he landed 54.2% of first deliveries and won 78.1% of those points, hitting four aces to his opponent's one. Mochizuki, by contrast, found only 50.7% of first serves and took just 39.4% of his second-serve points, a leak compounded by five double faults against Passaro's three. Passaro's 51.9% return on his own second ball kept the pressure constant, and the win carried him into the main draw in New York.