Japan’s Rei Sakamoto Earns a U.S. Open Spot, but Beats His Retiring Hero Kei Nishikori to Do It
NEW YORK (AP) — Rei Sakamoto played his way into the U.S. Open — but only by taking the spot that Kei Nishikori, Japan's greatest men's tennis star, hoped to earn for one last Grand Slam appearance.
Rei Sakamoto secured a coveted spot in the U.S. Open through a thrilling match against his idol, Kei Nishikori. In a changing of the guard moment, Sakamoto triumphed 6-4, 7-6 (3) to earn his place in the main draw. Nishikori, Japan's leading men's tennis star, bid farewell to his final season, acknowledging Sakamoto's impressive performance.
Sakamoto, a 20-year-old tennis prodigy, grew up idolizing Nishikori, who reached the 2014 U.S. Open final as the first Asian man to do so. Despite Nishikori's injury struggles, he was honored with a portrait by U.S. Open officials, while Sakamoto celebrated a significant victory, though tinged with bittersweet nostalgia.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
