De Jong outlasts Passaro in five sets at US Open first round

Jesper de Jong came through a five-set opening-round battle at the US Open, beating Francesco Passaro 2-6 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-2 after trading sets for more than two hours of swinging momentum. The Dutchman's serve was an all-or-nothing weapon: only 49.3 percent of his first deliveries landed, and he coughed up 15 double faults, but when the first ball went in he won a huge 82.1 percent of those points, along with 13 aces. Passaro was steadier in the box at 58.2 percent, yet won just 68.2 percent behind it and only 39.3 percent on second serve. For de Jong, it was a hard-earned place in the second round.