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Carlos Alcaraz Assumes No. 1 Pepperstone ATP Ranking

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Carlos Alcaraz today becomes the youngest World No. 1 in Pepperstone ATP Rankings history (since 1973) after winning his first Grand Slam title at the US Open Sunday.  

Alcaraz entered the 2021 US Open as the World No. 55. With his win against 23-year-old Casper Ruud in the championship clash in New York, the 19-year-old is the first teenage World No. 1 and the fourth man from Spain to achieve the feat, joining his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moya, and Rafael Nadal.  

“It’s crazy for me. I’ve never thought that I was going to achieve something like that at 19 years old. So everything came so fast,” Alcaraz said. “For me it’s unbelievable. It’s something I dreamed since I was a kid, since I started playing tennis. Of course, lifting this trophy today is amazing for me.”
The Murcia-native arrived at Flushing Meadows as the No. 4 player in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. His leap to World No. 1 is tied for the biggest in history. Three other players have surged from No. 4 to No. 1 between one Pepperstone ATP Rankings release: Moya (15 March 1999), Andre Agassi (5 July 1999) and Pete Sampras (11 September 2000).   Alcaraz has rewritten the record books en route to the pinnacle of men’s tennis. Earlier this year he became the second-youngest player to win two ATP Masters 1000 titles (Miami and Madrid), only behind Nadal, who did so in 2005. Alcaraz also became the youngest ATP 500 titlist in series history in Rio de Janeiro and claimed another crown at that level in Barcelona.  

The 19-year-old leads the ATP Tour with 51 wins this season, moving him five victories clear of second-placed Stefanos Tsitsipas (46). With his US Open triumph, Alcaraz also climbed to first place in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin, putting him in pole position to become the youngest year-end World No. 1 in history.  

Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman, said: ‘Carlos’ rise to the top of the sport has been nothing short of phenomenal. His game has reached incredible levels this year, capturing ATP Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid, and now capped off with a first Grand Slam title and becoming the youngest ever No. 1. His fearless tennis, work ethic and sportsmanship make him an inspiration for many and has raised the bar for tennis’ next era. Like so many of our fans, I’m excited to watch his incredible journey continue.’  

Alcaraz became the first player to reach the top of men’s tennis’ mountain the Monday after the US Open since his coach, Ferrero, ascended to No. 1 after the 2003 tournament. Alcaraz’s final against Ruud was the first men’s singles championship match at a Grand Slam in which both players who had never been World No. 1 were competing for the top spot.  

Alcaraz is the 28th player to reach World No. 1, making him the sixth active player to climb to the top spot. The teen joins Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Nadal, Andy Murray and Daniil Medvedev, whom he replaced at the pinnacle.   Alcaraz (19) and Ruud (23) are the second-youngest Top 2 in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, only trailing World No. 1 Jimmy Connors (22) and World No. 22 Bjorn Borg (18) in 1975. This is the first year since 2003 there have been two new World No. 1s in the same season (Medvedev and Alcaraz).  

Carlos Alcaraz Persists To Win 2022 U.S. Open

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Carlos Alcaraz won his first major singles title beating Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open, becoming the event’s second youngest men’s singles champion and in the process becoming the youngest man to clinch the world No. 1 ranking.

Alcaraz, at age 19 years, 4 months and 6 days, is only three months older than Pete Sampras, when he won the U.S. men’s title in 1990 at the age of 19 years, 28 days. However, Alcaraz is well over a year younger than Lleyton Hewitt as the youngest world No. 1, Hewitt assuming the top ranking in 2001 at the age of 20 years and 268 days.

The young Spaniard persisted at the end of the tournament in what four-time U.S. Open champion John McEnroe called “one of the all-time great efforts you will ever see to win an event.” He won three straight matches in five sets, including two that finished after 2 am, to reach the final, a feat last achieved by Stefan Edberg in 1992, who famously came back from a service break in the fifth set in the fourth round, quarterfinals and semifinals. Alcaraz trailed by a service break in the firth set against 2014 U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic in the fourth round before winnign 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in three hours and 54 minutes in a match that ended at 2:23 am. He then saved a match point in his quarterfinal epic win against Jannik Sinner, which he won 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (0), 7-5, 6-3 in five hours and 15 minutes, the second longest U.S. Open match of all time, that finished at 2:50 am, the latest finish in U.S. Open history. In the semifinals, he again persisted in his five-set 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (5), 6-3, fighting against a roaring U.S. crowd.

Alcaraz spent a total of 23 hours, 40 minutes on court in the tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz

Iga Swiatek Wins U.S. Open; Jabeur “Will Not Give Up”In Major Title Quest

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World No. 1 Iga Swiatek defeated Tunisian Ons Jabeur 6-2, 7-6(5) to win her first U.S. Open title and second major tournament victory of 2022 and third overall.

The 21-year-old Pole spent just one hour and 51 minutes to beat the No. 5 seed Jabeur, also the runner-up Wimbledon. Despite being the world No. 1, many did not believe Swiatek would be the last player standing in New York, due to the unpredictability in women’s tennis and the fact that Swiatek was only 2-2 on hard courts leading into the U.S. Open.

Swiatek was off to a 3-0 lead before Jabeur hit five clean winners to help pull back to 3-2. Swiatek kept her dominating style, breaking Jabeur twice more to win the first set. The second set opened much alike the first with Swiatek taking the first three games and Jabeur pulling two back before it was dragged into tiebreak where the Pole won on her first match point on Jabeur’s forehand unforced error.

“It’s part of tennis, winning or losing is part of it,” said Jabeur, who was looking to win her first major title and become the first Muslim player to win a major singles title. “I struggled to win my first WTA title. It took me time. So I believe this will take me time. The most important thing is accepting it, learning from the finals that I lost. I’m not someone that going to give up.”

Swiatek becomes the first Polish player to win the U.S. Championships, achieving what 1937 U.S. women’s runner-up Jadwiga Jedrzejowska was not able to do.
After winning the French Open as an unseeded player in 2020, Swiatek was immediately thrust into the top of women’s tennis upon the retirement of dominant No. 1 Ash Barty in March of this year. She won the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in March which clinched the No. 2 ranking, but was placed at No. 1 after Barty asked to be taken off the WTA rankings after her retirement announcement. She had a 37-match win streak that included her second title at Roland Garros. She struggled a bit since winning in Paris, losing in the third round at Wimbledon at the top seed and then going only 2-2 in U.S. summer hard court events leading into the U.S. Open.

Latest And Second-Longest! Alcaraz vs. Sinner Match Makes U.S. Open History

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The US Open set a record for its latest-ever finish early Thursday morning when 19-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz defeated 21-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner, 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3, in a quarterfinal final men’s singles match that officially ended at 2:50 a.m.

The match lasted 5 hours, 15 minutes — the second-longest US Open match ever — and surpassed the previous record for latest finish of 2:26 a.m., set three times, most recently in 2014. The record for longest match is 5:26, set by Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang in 1992. Alcaraz, the No. 3 seed, will now play American Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals on Friday. Earlier on Wednesday, Tiafoe defeated Andrey Rublev, 7-6(3), 7-6(0), 6-4, to become the first African-American man to reach the semifinals of the US Open since Arthur Ashe in 1972

Serena Williams Makes ESPN Tennis History

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Friday’s US Open Third Round match on ESPN – apparently the last in the remarkable career of Serena Williams, as she lost to Ajla Tomljanovich of Australia 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 – is the most-watched tennis telecast on record in ESPN’s 43-year history.  An average of 4.6 million viewers (P2+) tuned in for the telecast from Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.  The previous record of 3.9 million was for the 2012 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Championship, when Roger Federer defeated Andy Murray, in ESPN’s first year with exclusivity and first-ball-to-last-ball coverage from London.

The Primetime telecast on ESPN was the best ESPN tennis telecast on record and was the most viewed telecast of the day for broadcast and cable networks in total viewers and all key male and person demos.  Serena’s match averaged 4.8 million viewers from 7:15 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. ET and peaked with 6.9 million viewers in the 10:15 p.m. quarter-hour.

Through the first five days of the US Open, an average of 1.1. million viewers tuned in to ESPN networks, up +101% versus 2021. These are the most-viewed first five days of the US Open on record on ESPN networks.

On ESPN+, US Open coverage has to date delivered 622,000 unique viewers and 58.6 million minutes, up +65% and +72% versus 2021 through Day 5.

Other US Open Viewership Highlights

Day Four

  • ESPN2’s Primetime coverage of the Williams sisters’ doubles match was the third most-viewed Third Round telecast ever on ESPN networks
  • The match averaged 2.2 million viewers

Day Three

  • On Wednesday, Aug. 31, Williams’ second-round victory over Anett Kontaveit averaged 3.6 million viewers and peaked with five million. 
  • The entire prime-time telecast averaged 2.3 million, up 289% from last year and is No. 10 on the list of ESPN’s most-watched US Open telecasts of all time.
  • That night, ESPN led all networks – broadcast or cable – in delivering both Men and Adults in the demo groups 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.  The network placed second for households and P2+.
  • That day’s entire 12.5 hours of matches averaged 1.4 million people, the largest for any ESPN US Open early round (Rounds 1-3) telecast.

Opening Day

  • Monday, Aug. 29, was ESPN’s most-watched opening-day and opening day prime-time US Open telecast ever.  The evening doubleheader averaged 1.7 million, up 279% from 2021 and 40% higher than the previous high in 2019.  The first match in that window, Williams defeating Danka Kovinic in the first round, averaged 2.7 million fans.
  • The audience that day for the entire 12 hours of coverage was ESPN’s largest for a US Open opening day, an average of 843,000 viewers.
Serena Williams

U.S. Open Celebrates 15 Years Of Sustainability

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The United States Tennis Association (USTA) celebrates the 15th year of its US Open sustainability initiative, continuing the tournament’s decade-plus commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the US Open and helping to create a more sustainable future for our planet.

Since the program’s inception in 2008, working with environmental consultant eco evolutions llc, these initiatives have allowed the US Open to reduce its harmful greenhouse gas emissions by more than 130,000 metric tons. More than 6,500 tons of waste generated during the US Open has been diverted from landfills, saving over 6,400 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of 1,390 passenger cars being driven for a year. Through composting leftover organic matter, nearly 830 tons of food waste has been converted into nutrient-rich compost for gardens and farms, along with more than 185 tons of food being donated to local communities. 

In 2019, the US Open became one of the first major North American organizations to sign the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework, joining a group of international sports properties that have committed to drive climate awareness and action. As part of the US Open’s continued commitment to climate-intelligent humanitarian initiatives, returning in 2022 is a carbon offset program that provides improved cookstoves in Uganda. The US Open will offset the estimated carbon generated to run the event as well as from player travel to compete in the event, employee travel to work the event and fan travel for Finals Weekend. This equates to approximately 10 million miles traveled by airplane, car or subway. This initiative provides strong environmental benefits as the reduced consumption of biomass will result in emission reductions and decrease deforestation. 

Also returning in 2022 is the US Open’s collaboration with reforestation non-profit One Tree Planted, which is an initiative that was introduced at last year’s tournament. Working with One Tree Planted, the USTA will make a donation to ensure a tree is planted for every player that will be competing in the US Open, amounting to approximately 650 trees. The trees will be planted as part of ongoing reforestation projects in California to help replenish U.S. National Forests that have been impacted by recent forest fires.

US Open sponsors and partners are also making significant contributions to sustainability at the US Open. For example, evian is on a mission to make all its bottles from 100 percent recycled plastic by 2025 (excluding cap and label) the brand is Certified Carbon Neutral by the Carbon Trust.  This helps the US Open recycle nearly seven tons of plastic during the event and divert 97% of waste from landfill.

Continuing its commitment to sustainability, the Polo Ralph Lauren ball crew Polos will be made from yarn derived from recycled plastic bottles. The fabric will also have functional performance features, like stretch & moisture-wicking properties, all constructed for active play. In addition, tennis ball cans used at the US Open will feature Wilson’s Eco Overcap, which reduces the amount of plastic by half and leaves a smaller footprint on the environment after it has been used.

The US Open is proud to have earned LEED Silver certification for Louis Armstrong Stadium, which premiered at the 2018 US Open. LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green-building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. A number of sustainable design elements were incorporated into Louis Armstrong Stadium, including fixtures that use 40% less water than standard buildings, landscape that is designed to use 55% less water than traditional landscaping and low-emitting paints and finishes. In addition, during construction, 95% of waste was recycled. This is the third LEED certified structure at the home of the US Open, the others being the Grandstand Stadium and VIP/Transportation Building.

Additional components of the US Open sustainability initiative include:

  • Recycling and Composting
    • New for the 2022 US Open, the USTA will be recycling the clean plastic wrap consumed by vendors throughout the site of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the event.
    • At the conclusion of the 2022 US Open, the USTA will be donating the metal lids from the tennis ball cans used during the event to the Ronald McDonald House in Valhalla, N.Y.  These metal lids will be recycled to benefit the Ronald McDonald House’s Pull Tab Collection Program for that home. 
    • The USTA collects the tennis balls used during the matches and players’ practices to reuse in USTA tennis programs and to donate to various community and youth organizations throughout the United States.  A large portion of the balls from the 2022 US Open will be donated as a part of Wilson’s initiative with Recycleballs.
    • More than 70 tons of food waste from the US Open kitchens will be collected to be process by an anerobic digester to produce renewable electricity.
    • Ballpersons are provided with reusable water bottles to reduce the use of single use plastic water bottles.
  • Construction and Grounds
    • The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is home to three LEED certified structures including: Louis Armstrong Stadium (LEED Silver); Grandstand Stadium; and the Transportation Building.
    • Louis Armstrong Stadium:
      • Louis Armstrong Stadium uses 40% less water than is used in standard buildings.
      • Landscaping around Louis Armstrong Stadium is designed to use 55% less water than traditional landscaping.
      • During construction of Louis Armstrong Stadium, 95% of the waste was recycled.
      • Louis Armstrong Stadium is designed to use nearly 30% less energy than is used in standard buildings.
      • More than 10% of the materials used in Louis Armstrong Stadium’s construction were made from recycled materials.
      • Louis Armstrong Stadium is located close to public transportation, encouraging fans to take mass transit and help reduce the carbon footprint.
      • Low-emitting paints and finishes were used in Louis Armstrong Stadium’s construction to reduce the emission of pollutants.
      • Waste generated in Louis Armstrong Stadium is recycled and composted to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
    • Grandstand Stadium:
      • During the Grandstand’s construction, more than 80% of waste was recycled.
      • Primarily due to LED lights, the Grandstand uses 15% less energy than is used in standard buildings.
      • The Grandstand makes use of a rainwater treatment system to remove contaminants before the rainwater is discharged into the environment.
      • The Grandstand uses 40% less water than is used in standard buildings.
      • The Grandstand’s white roof reflects heat to keep the stadium cooler.
      • More than 10% of the materials used in the Grandstand’s construction were made from recycled materials.
      • Low-emitting paints and finishes were used in the Grandstand’s construction to reduce the emission of pollutants.
    • Foam glass, made from 1.3 million recycled glass bottles was used under the foundation of the new US Open broadcast building.
    • Refill water stations are located throughout the site to encourage re-use of water bottles.
    • LED court lights have been installed and will save a total of 90,000 kWh; 50% more efficient than regular stadium lighting. 
    • Vendors are provided with a US Open Green Cleaning Policy specifying preferred cleaning products to be used during the US Open.
  • Food Service
    • Paper or compostable straws will replace plastic straws across the site.
    • The majority of the service ware throughout the site is compostable, comprised of bio-based materials. 
    • US Open food concessionaire, Levy Restaurants, is locally sourcing approximately 20% of its produce and ingredients for the food offered on site.  In addition, Levy Restaurants offers 60% naturally-raised protein.
    • The US Open expects to donate almost 15 tons of food to the local community.
  • Paper Products
    • The 2.4 million napkins in the general concession area are comprised of 100% recycled material.
    • The US Open Daily is printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and printed on machines with dual-printing capabilities. 
    • US Open tickets are exclusively electronic.
    • All US Open digital event cards are provided electronically in place of the over 48,000 plastic versions purchased in the past.
  • Transportation
    • The USTA will continue to welcome more than 50% of its fans via mass transit or through rideshare. 
    • The US Open will offset the estimated 3.5 million miles players travel to compete at the US Open; the 3.8 million miles employees travel to work the event; and the 2.7 million miles traveled by fans to attend Finals Weekend.
  • Fan Awareness
    • 2022 US Open Sustainability Initiatives are featured in the official 2022 US Open Program.
    • US Open Sustainability Program facts will be highlighted in-stadium.
    • Environmental facts related to the construction of Louis Armstrong Stadium and Grandstand are displayed throughout those areas.
  • US Open Merchandise
    • The US Open Collection will feature for sale a reusable tote made from 80% post-consumer waste.

Iga Swiatek Is The Women’s Favorite To Win The 2022 U.S. Open

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Sportsbooks are expecting a big jump for the World number one this year. Iga Swiatek has never even made it to a quarterfinal at the US Open, yet sportsbooks are backing her to win the whole thing.  

Swiatek is given +400 odds, or an implied 20% chance to win the US Open. Her biggest competition is expected to be Simona Halep who’s also searching for her first US Open win. Halep is given +800 odds, or an implied 11.1% chance to be victorious.  

Last year’s winner Emma Raducanu is 7th on the market with +2000 odds, or an implied 4.8% chance to win her second straight US Open. That puts her ahead of former world number one Naomi Osaka who’s given +2500 odds, or an implied 3.8% chance. 

The best odds given to an American this year belong to Coco Gauff who’s given +1600 odds, or an implied 5.9% chance. That puts Gauff third on the market.  

Quote from OddsChecker spokesman Kyle Newman, “The women’s bracket is wide open. Last year we saw a qualifier win the event for the first time in history. So we know anything can happen with these women. For now, Swiatek is the favorite thanks to a phenomenal season. However, it wouldn’t be a shock to see any of the women win this year. That’s why even though Swiatek is the favorite, her odds are only equal to those of Rafa Nadal on the men’s side, second on the market. With a wide open field comes much longer odds.” 

For more detailed information, go to https://www.oddschecker.com/us/tennis/us-open-womens 

Iga Swiatek

US Open Raises $1.2 Million For Ukraine Relief Via “Tennis Plays For Peace” Event

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‘Tennis Plays for Peace’ event at the US Open saw the tennis world and New York City band together to help the 2022 US Open surpass $1.2 million raised for Ukraine relief. 

The event featured some of the biggest names in the tennis world, including Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek, John McEnroe, Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Leylah Fernandez, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Jessica Pegula, Matteo Berrettini, Maria Sakkari, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Sebastian Korda and Ben Shelton. 

Ukraine was strongly represented on court inside Louis Armstrong Stadium, by players Dayana Yastremska, Katarina Zavatska and Daria Snigur and former players Sergiy Stakhovsky and Olga Savchuk. Twelve-year-old Ustyn Chornyy, from the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York, sang the Ukrainian national anthem, and representatives from Manhattan traditional Ukrainian restaurant Veselka also made a special appearance and got to hit with the players.

One-hundred-percent of the ticket revenue from the event was donated to GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, which supports humanitarian assistance in impacted communities in Ukraine and surrounding regions where Ukrainian refugees have fled. To learn more or to donate, visit TennisPlaysforPeace.com.

Wednesday’s event was part of the US Open’s tournament-long effort to raise awareness and aid for Ukraine, which will include the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York performing during the Opening Night Ceremonies on August 29.

Key Players To Watch For At The 2022 U.S. Open

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The year’s fourth and final grand slam gets underway on Monday 29th August with much to compete for at the US Open.

Defending men’s champion and world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev returns to grand slam action after being banned from competing at Wimbledon, however the unvaccinated Novak Djokovic and world number 2 Alexander Zverev are unlikely to be present. Despite this the markets have Djokovic as one of the favourites despite him not being expected to play. You can find the best in spread betting odds for Flushing Meadows here.

Daniil Medvedev

The world’s top-ranked player won his first grand slam at last year’s Open, defeating Djokovic in straight sets. Medvedev was absent from Wimbledon due to his Russian nationality however he has retained his number 1 rating as no ranking points were awarded for the Championship. Looking to be the first men’s player to retain the US Open title since 2008, he will become de facto favourite for the event once Djokovic is confirmed absent.

Carlos Alvarez

The US Open in 2021 was the first in ALvarez’s career, yet he still managed to make the quarter-final in an impressive debut performance. WInning on the hard-court surface at the Miami Open this year bodes well for the 19-year old Spaniard, who has both the health and fitness to confirm his status as Tennis’ next global superstar.

Rafael Nadal

The injury that forced Nadal to pull out of his Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios looks to have been cleared and it will be his first time at the tournament for two years having been absent in 2021 and 2020 through injury. Needless to say, Nadal’s chance of victory rests on his health through multiple matches at Flushing Meadows.

Taylor Fritz

The 24-year old American is close to having his breakout win. Fritz pushed Djokovic to five sets in the 2021 Australian Open third round, Tsitsipas to five sets in the 2022 Australian Open fourth round and Nadal to five sets in the quarter-finals of WImbledon 2022. Inching closer, he has the serve, power on both backhand and forehand and is gaining confidence with the more high-rankin matchups. He could be a surprise package in a fascinating US Open.

Iga Swiatek

Although the women’s side of the tournament appears more open (at least in betting circles), Swiatek is the favorite to achieve victory at the US Open. The world number 1 who went on a 37-match winning streak that ended on her weakest surface at Wimbledon, is in tremendous form. With two French Open titles under her belt already she looks primed to make the US Open her third grand slam title.

Emma Radacunu

The defending US Open champion won last year as an 18-year old, but has found it a struggle with injuries and at major tournaments this year. No doubt she will be glad to be back on hard surfaces once again as she looks to finish her season off with a bang. She finally started to show some impressive form dispatching Victoria Azarenka and Serena WIlliams at the Cincinnati Masters in preparation for Flushing Meadows.

Jessica Pegula

The top ranked American’s performances have gone somewhat under the radar this year and she is currently third in the race for the WTA Finals, behind only Swiatek and Ons Jabeur. Pegula has only reached the third round of the US Open, although she has made the quarter-finals of two majors this year. The 28-year old has had one of the best seasons of her career showing steady improvement in her game and achieving personal records. Her quest for a maiden Grand Slam is very much on the cards.

Naomi Osaka

This season has been a struggle for Osaka. The 24-year old four-time Grand Slam champion has won twice before in New York and were she flying on all cylinders would be one of the shorter price favourites. Life in the limelight has taken its toll on the former world number 1, who has opened up about issues with mental health that caused her to take a break from sport last year. Injuries have plagued her in 2022, having to retire with back issues from her US Open tune-up in Toronto recently.

Serena Williams

Serena’s imminent retirement from the sport she has graced with her talent will ensure that this will be a US Open to remember. Williams evolved the game with her power, precision and mindset, leaving rivals no choice but to catch-up if they ever wanted to compete for grand slam titles. She has won at New York six times and since the last of her 23 grand slam triumphs in 2017, there have been 13 different champions across the four majors. Playing at home in her final tournament one should not count Serena completely out of the running, it would be a massive finale were the 41-year old to turn back the clocks for one final occasion.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz

Learner Tien, Eleana Yu Win USTA National Junior Titles To Earn U.S. Open Wild Cards

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 Top American juniors Learner Tien (16; Irvine, Calif.) and Eleana Yu (17; Mason, Ohio) won the USTA Boys’ and Girls’ 18s National Championships, respectively, each earning a wild card into the main draw of the US Open and headlining the annual USTA National Championships that took place last week.

The nation’s top junior tennis players competed in the National Championships, held at five locations across the country featuring singles and doubles competition across the 18s, 16s, 14s and 12s age groups. In addition to the US Open main draw wild cards awarded to the 18s singles and doubles champions, the singles finalists in the boys’ and girls’ 18s divisions received wild card entries into the US Open Qualifying Tournament set to being on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Meanwhile, the boys’ and girls’ 16s singles champions earned wild card entries into the US Open Junior Championships.

Tien defeated recent high school graduate and future University of Georgia Bulldog Ethan Quinn (18; Fresno, Calif.), 7-6(7), 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3, in Monday’s rain-delayed singles final. Tien, who is currently ranked as the No. 40 junior in the world in the latest ITF rankings, won the singles title at the prestigious ITF International Spring Championships in San Diego earlier this year and also reached the quarterfinals at the Wimbledon Junior Championships last month. Quinn not only will receive a US Open qualifying wild card for his runner-up effort, but also earned a US Open doubles wild card as he and partner Nicholas Godsick (17; Chagrin Falls, Ohio) won the boys’ 18s doubles title on Saturday. Godsick is the son of American tennis legend Mary Joe Fernandez and prominent tennis agent Tony Godsick.

Yu defeated 15-year-old Valerie Glozman (Bellevue, Wash.) in Sunday’s singles final, 6-3, 7-5. Yu, who has spent the majority of the past year competing in USTA Pro Circuit and ITF World Tennis Tour events, has twice appeared in qualifying at a WTA Tour event and earned her best professional result when she reached the quarterfinals at a USTA Pro Circuit W25 event in Daytona Beach, Fla., earlier this year. Reese Brantmeier (17; Whitewater, Wis.) and Clervie Ngounoue (16; Washington, D.C.) won the girls’ 18s doubles title and will receive a wild card into the US Open women’s doubles main draw.

Darwin Blanch (14; Deerfield Beach, Fla.) and Alyssa Ahn (15; San Diego) won the respective singles titles at the USTA Boys’ and Girls’ 16s National Championships and will receive wild cards into the main draw of the US Open Junior Championships.

Complete results from the USTA National Championships can be found below. The complete draws are available here: Boys’ 18s and 16s; Girls’ 18s and 16s; Boys’ 14s and 12s; Girls’ 14s; Girls’ 12.