Rei Sakamoto Qualifies for US Open, Defeating Idol Kei Nishikori

Twenty-year-old Rei Sakamoto secured a spot in the US Open main draw by defeating 36-year-old Kei Nishikori in the final qualifying round. This victory marks Sakamoto's Grand Slam debut while simultaneously ending Nishikori's bid for a final major appearance in his announced last season, highlighting a generational shift in Japanese tennis.