Overview
- Rei Sakamoto defeated Kei Nishikori 6-4, 7-6(3) in the final round of US Open qualifying on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, to secure a spot in the tournament’s main draw.
- The loss marked the final Grand Slam match of Nishikori’s career after he announced 2026 as his last season and accepted a USTA wild-card entry into qualifying because his ranking no longer guaranteed direct entry.
- Sakamoto powered the win with 19 aces, including the match-ending ace after Nishikori saved two match points, and is slated to face Aleksandar Vukic in the US Open first round.
- U.S. Open officials honored Nishikori on court after the match and both players used the moment to frame the result as a passing of the torch, with Nishikori calling Sakamoto “the next Japanese top player.”
- Nishikori leaves as Japan’s most successful modern man’s player—2014 US Open finalist, former world No. 4 and 12 ATP titles—whose later years were hampered by injuries and whose planned farewell will include the Japan Open in Tokyo.