Flushing Meadows has witnessed many dramatic matches — the 2026 US Open Qualifying Wild Card Playoff semifinal between Jack Secord and Ozan Baris slotted seamlessly into that tradition. The 17-year-old left-hander from Lake Forest, Illinois, prevailed after a gruelling contest 3-6, 6-2, 11-9, advancing to the next round of the newly introduced format that gives rising talents a pathway into US Open Qualifying.
Baris Impresses in the Opening Set
It was Ozan Baris who made the stronger start. The 22-year-old from Michigan, a four-time ITA All-American at Michigan State University — a record in the programme's history — controlled the baseline exchanges early and capitalised consistently on Secord's still-inconsistent return game. Baris took the first set comfortably 6-3. His serve functioned well from the outset: he won 61 percent of points on his first serve and conceded barely any break points. Secord, for his part, had yet to find his best tennis.
The Turnaround in the Second Set
The second set told an entirely different story. Secord noticeably sharpened his first-serve accuracy — 70 percent of his first serves found the court, and he won 72 percent of points behind them. Built on that foundation, he dominated on serve and gave Baris little to work with. The breaks came at precisely the right moments: Secord converted 43 percent of his break points and took the set 6-2. The balance of power had shifted within the space of just a few games.
A Deciding Set to Test the Nerves
The third set became a battle of attrition. Secord, ranked 19th on the ITF Junior rankings, displayed a composure that belied his age throughout. Both players saved crucial break points — Secord rescued 60 percent of the break points he faced, Baris 57 percent. The set stretched to 9-9 before Secord finally summoned the resolve to close it out, winning 11-9 to seal the match. Particularly remarkable: Secord saved a match point during the contest, adding another layer of drama to an already gripping evening.
Across the full match, Secord won 52 percent of total points and held serve in 75 percent of his service games — solid numbers in a contest as tight as the scoreline suggests. Despite landing five aces, Baris managed only one winner, while Secord finished with five aces and five winners of his own. For Baris, most recently nominated for the PIF ATP Next Gen Accelerator Program, the result meant an early exit from the playoff. Secord, meanwhile, took another important step on his road to US Open Qualifying.
