USTA Playoffs for 2011 Australian Open Wildcards
In mid December, the USTA held wildcard playoffs in Atlanta for the coveted main draw wildcards that Tennis Australia gives to one American man and one American woman into the Australian Open. The USTA provides the same for the Aussies at the U.S. Open. The
single elimination format featured eight men and eight women and is in keeping with the USTA’s goal of making players earn the right to the wildcards. Last year, Ryan Harrison and Coco Vandeweghe won the playoffs and both competed again this year.
The list of competitors included top juniors and collegiate players, as well as some pros.
MEN
• Jordan Cox – Duluth, Georgia
• Ryan Harrison – Bradenton, Florida
• Denis Kudla – Arlington, Virginia
• Michael Shabaz – Fairfax, Virginia
• Tim Smyczek – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Jack Sock – Lincoln, Nebraska
• Rhyne Williams – Knoxville, Tennessee
• Donald Young – Atlanta, Georgia
WOMEN
• Beatrice Capra – Ellicott City, Maryland
• Lauren Davis – Gates Mills, Ohio
• Irina Falconi – Jupiter, Florida
• Jamie Hampton – Auburn, Alabama
• Krista Hardebeck – Santa Ana, California
• Madison Keys – Boca Raton, Florida
• Shelby Rogers – Daniel Island, South Carolina
• Coco Vandeweghe – Rancho Santa Fe, California
In the end, Ryan Harrison, eighteen years old and currently ranked 173rd, came through again defeating fellow eighteen year old and 2010 U.S. Open Junior Boys’ winner, Jack Sock 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-4, to earn his way into 2011’s first major event by winning the USTA Australian Open Wildcard Playoff at the Racquet Club of the South. There was a mild upset on the women’s side as seventeen year old, Lauren Davis, currently ranked 444th and a recent Orange Bowl champion, defeated nineteen year old, Coco Vandeweghe 6-2, 6-2 to earn the Aussie wildcard.
The list of competitors included top juniors and collegiate players, as well as some pros.
MEN
• Jordan Cox – Duluth, Georgia
• Ryan Harrison – Bradenton, Florida
• Denis Kudla – Arlington, Virginia
• Michael Shabaz – Fairfax, Virginia
• Tim Smyczek – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Jack Sock – Lincoln, Nebraska
• Rhyne Williams – Knoxville, Tennessee
• Donald Young – Atlanta, Georgia
WOMEN
• Beatrice Capra – Ellicott City, Maryland
• Lauren Davis – Gates Mills, Ohio
• Irina Falconi – Jupiter, Florida
• Jamie Hampton – Auburn, Alabama
• Krista Hardebeck – Santa Ana, California
• Madison Keys – Boca Raton, Florida
• Shelby Rogers – Daniel Island, South Carolina
• Coco Vandeweghe – Rancho Santa Fe, California
In the end, Ryan Harrison, eighteen years old and currently ranked 173rd, came through again defeating fellow eighteen year old and 2010 U.S. Open Junior Boys’ winner, Jack Sock 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-4, to earn his way into 2011’s first major event by winning the USTA Australian Open Wildcard Playoff at the Racquet Club of the South. There was a mild upset on the women’s side as seventeen year old, Lauren Davis, currently ranked 444th and a recent Orange Bowl champion, defeated nineteen year old, Coco Vandeweghe 6-2, 6-2 to earn the Aussie wildcard.
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