The USTA announced the wild cards for the US Open Junior Championships today. Six boys and eight girls were given main draw wild cards.
Boys: Harrison Adams
Deiton Baughman
Jared Hiltzik
Stefan Kozlov
Ronnie Schneider
Henrik Wiersholm
.........Only four qualifying wild cards have been announced for the boys, with Jared Donaldson, Martin Redlicki and Mitch Stewart receiving them, along with Shotaro Goto of Japan. (Has anyone ever figured out why Japan gets two US Open junior qualifying wild cards every year?). The release says two additional wild cards will be awarded for the boys. I'm a bit surprised the ITF World Junior Tennis Champion boys, William Blumberg, Michael Mmoh and Francis Tiafoe, aren't among those receiving qualifying wild cards, especially since all three girls on the ITF WJT seventh-place team did.
Jared Donaldson having a really good week so far, winning 3 setters against Tommy Mylnikov and Ku Keon Kang in Maryland.
Here's a good video and interview with him back in May, after winning the Rhode Island state championship as a freshman.
I didn't know he's been training on red clay in Argentina for the last year - year and a half. Where does that put him versus wiersholm and other options for the 16U Junior Davis Cup team?
Thanks SapELee!
__________________ The Future of Tennis: Stefan Kozlov, Gianluigi Quinzi, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Borna Coric, Alexander Zverev
Most promising country: Australia (Tomic, Kubler, Saville, Kyrgios, Kokkinakis)
UVA GO HOOS GO
Last edited by PTWahoo14 : 08-23-2012 at 02:33 AM.
Since the Junior Davis Cup is on clay, I prefer him over Wiersholm but he kinda sucks in doubles though (the same goes for Rubin). I guess the best team would be Rubin, Donaldson, and Kozlov.
Since the Junior Davis Cup is on clay, I prefer him over Wiersholm but he kinda sucks in doubles though (the same goes for Rubin). I guess the best team would be Rubin, Donaldson, and Kozlov.
This is how I feel about it too. Donaldson is the right choice. But I sort of wonder if the USTA (if they make the decision) might feel bias towards Wiersholm for participating in several of their national tournaments, and winning Kalamazoo. On the other hand, they would realize that Wiersholm is a '97 kid and will have another opportunity to represent the country next year, while Donaldson only has a chance this year.
It'll be a fun tournament though, I can't wait. Wish it would be streamed live.
__________________ The Future of Tennis: Stefan Kozlov, Gianluigi Quinzi, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Borna Coric, Alexander Zverev
Most promising country: Australia (Tomic, Kubler, Saville, Kyrgios, Kokkinakis)
Speaking of doubles, I just notice that Donaldson is partnering Kerzerman right now. If I'm not mistaken, Daniel was originally paired with Wiersholm (before he pulled out). Daniel's doubles winning streak is in danger here .
What a tough draw for Noah. But this is his home tournament and there are going to be tons of his friends and family watching. He's not going to want to disappoint
Also, I think Hiltzik-Quinzi is a very intriguing matchup. Let's see what Jared can do.
1994-1996 : Rubin, Kwiatkowski, Halebian, Papa, Corinteli, McDonald, Donaldson, etc.
Re: 1994-1996 : Rubin, Kwiatkowski, Halebian, Papa, Corinteli, McDonald, Donaldson,
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. Out of the seeded Americans, I can see McDonald and Rubin losing in the first round.
