Sakamoto beats retiring Nishikori, earns US Open spot

Rei Sakamoto, a 20-year-old rising Japanese player, defeated Kei Nishikori 6-4, 7-6(3) in the final round of US Open qualifying to earn a spot in the main draw, signaling a changing of the guard as Nishikori’s storied career moves toward retirement. Nishikori, 36, who has battled injuries and is entering what he has said will be his final season, received a wild card into qualifying but could not secure the final main-draw berth. Sakamoto, who fired 19 aces and saved two match points, said he hoped to emulate Nishikori’s success while Nishikori called him the next Japanese top player and expressed pride in his rival’s achievement. After the win, Nishikori was honored with a framed portrait from US Open officials, as fans cheered his era and celebrated Sakamoto’s ascent. Many view the result as a watershed moment for Japanese tennis, with Sakamoto’s breakthrough casting a spotlight on a likely new generation. The tournament thus framed Nishikori’s farewell season alongside Sakamoto’s rising trajectory and a potential new chapter for Japan on the world stage.