US Open 2026 Qualifying: Zheng, Liutova Lead New Wave of Qualifiers in New York

Qualifying for the 2026 US Open produced a mix of established names, emerging prospects and first-time Grand Slam qualifiers, with Zheng Qinwen, Kristina Liutova and a number of rising players securing their places in the main draw at Flushing Meadows.

Zheng, the No. 14 seed in qualifying, fought back from a rain-delayed second-round position to defeat Elena Pridankina 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 and return to the US Open main draw. The former world No. 5 was competing in Grand Slam qualifying for only the second time in her career.

The 23-year-old, who reached the US Open quarter-finals twice previously, had been forced to resume her final qualifying match after rain interrupted play with Pridankina leading 5-2 in the second set. Zheng returned with greater authority, winning seven of the final eight games to complete a 2-hour, 19-minute victory.

Her reward is a first-round meeting with another qualifier, 16-year-old Kristina Liutova.

Liutova makes history at 16

Liutova will become the first player born in 2010 to compete in a Grand Slam main draw after defeating Poland's Martyna Kubka 6-4, 6-0.

The teenager arrives in New York in remarkable form. Last month, she won the Memphis title as a qualifier on her WTA debut. Her three victories in US Open qualifying have extended her winning streak to nine matches, while her 2026 record now stands at 36-4.

Liutova has also displayed remarkable consistency during the qualifying campaign, committing only 43 unforced errors across eight sets - an average of fewer than five per set.

She will now face Zheng in an intriguing first-round contest between two players at very different stages of their careers.

Four Americans earn maiden Grand Slam main draws

American tennis also produced two notable breakthroughs, with Elvina Kalieva and Mary Stoiana both reaching their first Grand Slam main draws.

The 23-year-old Kalieva overcame Czech teenager Vendula Valdmannova 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, while Stoiana defeated China's Yue Yuan 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

The pair join a group of qualifiers whose victories represent significant milestones at the final Grand Slam of the season.

Dutchwoman Anouk Koevermans also reached her first Grand Slam main draw after completing a rain-delayed match against Mariam Bolkvadze. Having resumed at 6-3, 6-6 and 3-3 in the second-set tiebreak, Koevermans held her nerve to win 6-3, 7-6(5).

Zidansek ends Andreescu's qualifying run

Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu was unable to complete her return to the tournament's main draw.

The 2019 champion surrendered a one-set lead before losing to Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. Andreescu had led 3-1 in the second set before taking a medical timeout at 4-3, with her movement visibly affected thereafter.

Zidansek, ranked No. 146, improved to 2-0 against Andreescu and secured her first US Open main-draw appearance since 2022.

The Slovenian had previously enjoyed a deep run at Roland Garros in 2021, reaching the semi-finals after defeating Andreescu in a marathon first-round encounter.

Experience returns to New York

While several qualifiers will make their Grand Slam main-draw debuts, others are returning to the US Open stage after lengthy absences.

Former doubles world No. 1 Storm Hunter defeated No. 4 seed Darja Semenistaja 6-4, 6-1 to reach the US Open main draw for the third time.

Arantxa Rus, meanwhile, secured her 10th US Open main-draw appearance. Britain's Francesca Jones also qualified for the second consecutive year.

Japan's Himeno Sakatsume earned her second Grand Slam main-draw appearance of the season after defeating Serbia's Mia Ristic 6-4, 6-3, having also qualified for the Australian Open.

Lucie Havlickova, the 2022 US Open junior runner-up, completed another significant step by qualifying for her first senior Grand Slam main draw with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Nao Hibino.

Men's qualifying also delivers first-time qualifiers

The men's draw also welcomed a number of emerging players after qualifying concluded a day later than scheduled.

#NextGenATP Japanese player Rei Sakamoto defeated compatriot Kei Nishikori 6-4, 7-6(3) to reach his first US Open main draw. The 20-year-old's victory came against the former world No. 4 in an all-Japanese final-round clash.

Italy's 19-year-old Federico Cina also advanced after overcoming China's Buyunchaokete 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. Cina entered the tournament ranked seventh in the PIF ATP Live Next Gen Race, with Sakamoto 10th.

Nishesh Basavareddy, Hugo Gaston, Dalibor Svrcina and Tristan Schoolkate were among the other men's qualifiers.

Basavareddy produced one of the more convincing results of the final round, defeating top seed Arthur Gea 6-3, 6-1.

Who qualified for the 2026 US Open

With qualifying complete, attention now turns to the US Open main draw, where established contenders and the latest wave of Grand Slam newcomers will begin their campaigns in New York.