Great Britain's Johanna Konta is one win away from the main draw at the US Open after defeating Japan's Kurumi Nara in the second round of qualifying.
Konta was the only British winner in the first round at Flushing Meadows when she upset eighth seed Chang Kai-chen and she continued in the same vein on Thursday to win 7-5 6-2.
The 21-year-old, who switched allegiance from the country of her birth, Australia, earlier this year, made her Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon but is playing in qualifying for the first time.
Konta struggled initially against Nara, who is ranked 46 places higher at 159, but recovered from 3-0 behind and then saved two set points at 5-4.
That proved the key moment as Konta promptly broke and then served out for the set, and in the second set she overpowered Nara, who at 5ft 2in tall was giving away nine inches to her opponent.
In the third and final round of qualifying on Friday in New York, Konta, who is based in Eastbourne, will face China's world number 195 Zhang Shuai.
