Former top stars earn spots in US Open main draw

The US Open qualifying event is complete, and the winning storylines are former top player fighting their way back.

Veterans like Vera Zvonareva, Eugenie Bouchard, Nicole Gibbs, Heather Watson, Tommy Robredo and Donald Young all survived three matches to earn a spot in the main draw.

In a moment that encapsulated all the joy and heartbreak of Grand Slam qualifying play, 36-year-old  Robredo outlasted fellow 36-year-old Nicolas Mahut 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. Mahut got consoled in the best possible way.

Former Wimbledon finalist Bouchard battled her way back into a Grand Slam main draw, easing past American Jamie Loeb 6-0, 6-3 to drop just seven games in her very impressive qualifying run.

In the main draw, Bouchard opens against French wildcard Harmony Tan. Another Canadian, Felix Auger-Aliassime booked his spot with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 win over Gerald Melzer. He drew his compatriot Denis Shapovalov, the No. 28th seed.

Former US Open runner-up Zvonareva saved five match points to defeat Lin Zhu 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 and set up a first round against fellow Russian Anna Blinkova.

Gibbs returned to a Grand Slam main draw with a routine 6-4, 6-1 win over returning new mom Olga Govortsova. Gibbs will face No. 30 seed Carla Suarez Navarro in the first round, who's playing the New Haven final on Saturday.

Former top Brit Watson beat out her younger countrywoman Katie Swan, 6-2, 6-4. She'll start off against Ekaterina Makarova next week.

Young gave American fans something to cheer for on the fourth and final day of qualifying by beating Peter Polansky 7-5, 1-6, 6-3. Unfortunately for Young, 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro is next.

But fortunately for Polansky, the Canadian got into the main draw with a lucky loser spot. He has now made it into the main draw as a lucky loser at all four Slams this season.

Main draw play at the US Open kicks off Monday.

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