Overview
- Rei Sakamoto defeated Kei Nishikori 6-4, 7-6(3) in the final round of U.S. Open qualifying to earn a place in the main draw.
- The match, which took place Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, featured Sakamoto’s 19 aces and a final match-ending ace after Nishikori had saved two match points.
- Nishikori entered qualifying on a USTA wildcard because his ranking was too low for direct entry after years of injury problems, and this loss marks his final Grand Slam match in a season he has said will be his last.
- Nishikori said he was disappointed to lose but happy for Sakamoto, and he has expressed a desire to help develop Japanese and Asian men’s tennis after he retires.
- Sakamoto advanced to face Aleksandar Vukic in the U.S. Open first round, and his win is widely framed as a symbolic generational handover for Japanese men’s tennis.