Lily Miyazaki has spent much of her life as a tennis professional on the lower levels of the ITF circuit, usually fighting tooth and nail in front of no more than a couple of committed spectators. The goal has always been to continue rising and, eventually, to settle at the top level of her sport. She has never been closer.
After qualifying impressively for a grand slam main draw for the first time in her career, Miyazaki took a significant step forward in her career as she clinched her maiden win at a grand slam by beating Margarita Betova of Russia 6-3, 6-3.
"I'm kind of lost for words right now," said Miyazaki, the world No 198.
"Coming into this tournament I didn't expect to be in this stage, I'm just really happy and proud of myself." While most of the main draw direct entrants were preparing for the tournament, Miyazaki began her US Open last week unseeded in the qualifying draw and charged with focusing on one match at a time. After clearing through a qualifying field with one of the better wins of her career, against the No 107, Viktoria Hruncakova, Miyazaki moved into the second main draw of her life after receiving a wildcard at Wimbledon last year.
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