13 American players included in the Australian Open qualifiers – Tennis News
All tennis professionals are eagerly waiting for the season-opening Grand Slam, the Australian Open, scheduled to begin from the second week of January 2013. The lower ranked contenders had to go through the qualifying rounds before
earning a spot in the 128-player main draw. The tournament organizers have revealed that 13 American players have been included in the qualifying draw for the next edition of the Grand Slam Down Under. These lucky contestants include the likes of:
James Blake Jack Sock Steve Johnson Denis Kudla Alex Kuznetsov Wayne Odesnik Rajeev Ram Tennys Sandgren Tim Smyczek Ryan Sweeting Michael Yani Donald Young
The 13th contender accepted for the qualifiers was Rhyne Williams but he went on to win the USTA Australian open Wild Card Playoff last weekend to earn a wildcard into the main rounds of the mega event. However, Bradley
Klahn and Daniel Kosakowski are the second and third alternates respectively.
Highlight of the American lot includes the former world number four, James Blake, who has fallen to the 127th spot this year. He use to be the spearhead of American tennis during 2006 but persistent injuries have extinguished
his spark. Blake is hopeful for glorious days to return and rise once again as the American number one in the upcoming season.
Ryan Sweeting is the other promising but underrated professional, searching for a breakthrough season in 2013. His talents are appreciated by many and his aggression game play is a treat to watch.
Donald Young was thought to be the future of American tennis but again he is among those phenomenal talents who suffered relentless injuries throughout his early career. He is labouring extremely hard to sustain his fitness and
play his natural aggressive game in the tournaments to come next season.
Jesse Levine’s acceptance to the qualifiers has been made as an American player but he will represent Canada in the Australian Open.
Rhyne Williams is the only American player to get a wildcard entry into the main rounds in Melbourne. Other allotted wildcard holders include Di Wu from China and Benjamin Mitchell from Australia, whilst rest of the five slots
are yet to be announced.
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