US Open qualification one step closer for Britain’s Liam Broady
- Planet Sport writer
- 23 August 2022
Liam Broady was made to work hard by American Murphy Cassone, but the Brit eventually prevailed over three sets to advance to the second round of US Open qualifying in New York.
The Briton needs two more victories to secure entry into the main draw at Flushing Meadows after his 3-6 7-6 (3) 6-1 success.
Cassone, 20, had started brightly as he opened up an early 4-2 lead before breaking again to wrap up the first set at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre.
Broady, who had reached the third round of both the recent ATP Challenger events in Winnipeg and Chicago, improved in the second set, with a break and a hold seeing him lead 5-3.
Cassone, though, rallied again to break Broady and level before moving 6-5 ahead.
Broady, seeded 25 in qualifying, held to force a tie-break in which he swiftly moved 5-0 up as he levelled the match.
The Briton's experience showed in the decider as Broady took control with a break backed up by a hold to lead 4-1.
Cassone was broken again in the next game to leave Broady serving for the match, which he held to love, completing a hard-earned victory in just under two-and-a-half hours.
Earlier, Jay Clarke was beaten in straight sets 6-4 6-4 by veteran Norbert Gombos, the tournament's 13th seed.
Clarke - ranked 205 in the world - had broken Gombos to lead 4-3 in the opening set, but then failed twice failed to hold his own serve.
Slovakian Gombos, 32, again recovered from 2-0 down in the second set as the world number 114 closed out victory in an hour and a half.
