2010 U.S. Open Tennis Wildcard Playoff Winners
The USTA decided to hold a wildcard playoff for one of the coveted main draw wildcard spots into the 2010 U.S. Open. Eight men and eight women played in the playoff tournament. The other wildcard slots were given by the USTA to American players, as well as
to Australian and French players as part of reciprocal wildcard agreements with Tennis Australia and the French Tennis Federation. Since 2007, the USTA had held wildcard playoffs for the USTA’s wildcard slots into the Australian and French Opens. The USTA is trying to send the message to rising players that they need to earn their way into the “big leagues”. The players invited to participate in the wildcard playoff included promising juniors and college players who have competed on the USTA Pro circuit:
Men
Chase Buchanan - New Albany, Ohio
Andrea Collarini - Boca Raton, Florida
Alexander Domijan - Wesley Chapel, Florida
Ryan Harrison - Bradenton, Florida
Jarmere Jenkins - College Park, Georgia
Steve Johnson - Orange, California
Austin Krajicek - Brandon, Florida
Tim Smyczek - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Women
Julia Boserup - Boca Raton, Florida
Madison Brengle - Dover, Delaware
Beatrice Capra - Ellicott City, Maryland
Irina Falconi - Jupiter, Florida
Nicole Gibbs - Santa Monica, California
Krista Hardebeck - Santa Ana, California
Madison Keys - Boca Raton, Florida
Alison Riske - McMurray, Pennsylvania
After three days of matches, Tim Smyczek and Beatrice Capra emerged with the wildcard slots after winning their three respective matches. Number One seed, Smyczek, a twenty-two year old from Milwaukee, Wisconson, who played in the 2008 and 2009 U.S. Open qualifying tournament, defeated Number Two seed, Ryan Harrison, 6-4. 6-4, 6-4 in the final match. Number Two seed, Capra, an eighteen year old from Ellicott City, Maryland, who defeated Number One seed, Madison Brengle, 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the final round will be making her Tour and U.S. Open debut when she plays her first round match in Flushing Meadows. Both Smyczek and Capra won all three of their playoff matches in straight sets, but Smyczek has also qualified for three ATP tournaments in 2010.
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