US Open Qualifiers: Aoi Ito and Janice Tjen Advance, Set Up All-Asian Final Round Clash
New York, August 22, 2025 – The US Open qualifying rounds are heating up with rising Asian stars making headlines. Japan’s Aoi Ito and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen booked their spots in the final qualifying round, setting up a highly anticipated all-Asian showdown for a berth in the main draw.
Ito, the No. 3 seed, showcased her resilience in a rollercoaster contest against Spain’s Guiomar Maristany Zuleta De Reales. The 21-year-old, who has already claimed notable victories over Jasmine Paolini and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova this summer, dominated the opening set 6-0 before conceding the second 1-6. She quickly regained momentum to seal the decider 6-1, keeping her Grand Slam dream alive.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Janice Tjen continued her remarkable rise on the professional circuit. Facing Poland’s Maja Chwalinska, Tjen rallied from 3-5 down in the opening set, saving two set points before clinching a hard-fought 7-5, 7-5 win. This victory marked her 99th match win since graduating in May last year. If successful in her next match, Tjen will become the first Indonesian player to reach a Grand Slam main draw since Angelique Widjaja at the 2004 US Open.
Rain Delays Cause Scheduling Chaos
Qualifying rounds this week have been marred by persistent rain in New York. On Wednesday, only eight women’s matches managed to start, none of which were completed. The entire second round was postponed to Thursday, pushing the decisive final round to Friday.
Among the players affected by the delays were two of the tournament’s brightest teenage prospects. No. 2 seed Tereza Valentova trailed Tatiana Prozorova 5-4 in the first set when play was suspended, while Australia’s Emerson Jones had just failed to serve out her opener against Brazil’s Laura Pigossi, leading 5-4.
Both returned on Thursday with renewed focus. Valentova, 18, stormed through nine of the next ten games to claim a 7-5, 6-1 victory. Jones, just 17 and considered one of Australia’s top emerging talents, secured a solid 6-4, 6-4 win to move one step closer to her Grand Slam debut.
Jimenez Kasintseva Makes History Bid
Next up for Emerson Jones is Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra. The 20-year-old former junior World No. 1 staged an impressive comeback against Astra Sharma, overturning a set and a break deficit to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Jimenez Kasintseva now stands on the brink of becoming the first player from Andorra to compete in a Grand Slam main draw.
Francesca Jones Survives Thriller
Top seed Francesca Jones of Great Britain also advanced after surviving a tense battle with Ekaterine Gorgodze. After cruising through the first set 6-1, Jones was pushed to the limit in the second, eventually prevailing 7-6(11) in a dramatic tie-breaker.
What Lies Ahead
With spots in the US Open main draw at stake, Friday’s matches promise intense battles. The spotlight will firmly be on the Asian clash between Aoi Ito and Janice Tjen, as both seek to make history with their Grand Slam breakthroughs.