The tournament leaves Saudi Arabia amid sportswashing accusations and ongoing conflict in the Middle East
JACOB FEARNLEY was among the British winners at US Open qualifying in New York.
Fearnley advanced to the third and final qualifying round with a hard-fought 6-4 6-7 (4) 6-4 victory over Frenchman Luka Pavlovic that lasted two hours and 18 minutes.
The 25-year-old Scot appeared to be coasting when 4-2 ahead in the second set, but Pavlovic broke back and then won the tie break after saving a match point at 5-4.
Fearnley, however, kept his composure to break at 3-2 in the deciding set, then saved three break points in the final game before closing out victory.
Toby Samuel beat Billy Harris 4-6 6-1 6-4 in an all-British battle and Harry Wendelken also progressed with a 5-7 7-6 (4) 6-4 victory over Switzerland’s Remy Bertola.
Jack Pinnington Jones started well against Finland’s Otto Virtanen before losing 2-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-3.
Harriet Dart fought back to beat US teenager Kristina Penickova 5-7 6-0 6-3 and reach the final round of women’s qualifying.
“She’s a hell of a player, 16 years old, and I really don’t know what the world is feeding these young ones now,” Dart told Sky Sports.
“She was playing some phenomenal tennis and I felt a few key moments didn’t go my way, but I knew if I could stick in there I would see if she could keep that level for the next two hours.
“I tried to stay there and I was really happy to close it out in the end.”
Dart will play fellow Briton Heather Watson for a place in the main draw after she beat Spaniard Angela Fita Boluda 6-4 5-7 7-6 (5).


