US Open 2026 qualifying results: Heather Watson among British winners in New York
British tennis player Heather Watson and several other British hopefuls have advanced in the US Open qualifying rounds in New York. Players must win three consecutive matches to secure a spot in the main draw of the tournament.
Why it matters
The US Open is a major Grand Slam event, and qualifying results significantly impact the career trajectories of professional tennis players.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Heather Watson made her US Open main-draw debut in 2011
Britain's Heather Watson battled back from a set down against Claire Liu to keep alive her hopes of securing a first US Open main-draw appearance in five years.
The 34-year-old Watson beat sixth seed Liu 4-6 6-2 6-4 in the first round of qualifying in New York.
Watson almost let a double-break lead slip in the final set but held firm to set up a meeting with Spain's Angela Fita Boluda.
Toby Samuel, Jacob Fearnley, Billy Harris, Harry Wendelken and Jack Pinnington Jones all progressed in men's qualifying.
Samuel, seeking to reach the US Open main draw for the first time, fought back against Italy's Francesco Maestrelli to win 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 6-1 and set up a meeting with fellow Briton Harris.
Harris progressed with a 6-1 6-3 win against Peru's Gonzalo Bueno.
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