James Duckworth tuned up for Flushing Meadows with a round-of-16 win at the Winston-Salem Open. (Getty Images: Icon Sportswire/David Kirouac, file photo)
The Australian contingent had a mixed day at the Winston-Salem Open, the lead-up tournament for the US Open.
James Duckworth, who's already in the main draw of next week's grand slam, defeated Italy's Lorenzo Sonego, while Rinky Hijikata lost to France's Benjamin Bonzi.
Duckworth will play Hungarian 15th seed Fabian Marozsan for a place in the semi-finals.
It was a case of third time lucky for James Duckworth as the Australian romped into the quarterfinals of the Winston-Salem Open with a stirring victory over Lorenzo Sonego.
The Italian has proved to be a bit of a nemesis on Tour for the Sydneysider, who had gone down twice in their previous meetings.
Sonego first triumphed over Duckworth in 2021 at Wimbledon when he won 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in the third round.
Then came the defeat also on grass at Eastbourne International in the round of 32 in 2022 when Duckworth lost 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1).
So the 7-5, 6-3 victory on Thursday (AEST) in the ATP-250 event would have been coupled with sweet revenge and a tinge of relief ahead of next week's US Open at Flushing Meadows.
With his world ranking of 79, Duckworth has qualified directly into the main draw for the last grand slam of the year.
The 34-year-old needed one hour and 44 minutes to dispatch Sonego, breaking serve twice in the match and fending off all three break point opportunities.
Duckworth will now meet 15th seed Fabian Marozsan of Hungary, who beat American wildcard Martin Damm 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, for a place in the semifinals.
Earlier, Rinky Hijikata's bid to make the last eight came to a crashing halt when the Australian was defeated by Benjamin Bonzi.
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It was a bullseye performance from the Frenchman, who didn't miss much in a 6-1, 6-1 demolition that lasted just 57 minutes.
