The USTA Australian Open wildcard challenge began this week in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Challenge will run for four ATP Challenger tournaments and the leading American point accumulator will gain direct entry into the AO 2025 main draw.
20 American players compose the 32 player draw this week in South Dakota, which is hosting its first ever professional tennis tournament. Chris Eubanks is top seed. Other Americans competing include Stefan Kozlov, Murphy Cassone, Martin Damm Jr, Ozan Baris, Govind Nanda, Nishesh Basavareddy, Patrick Kypson, Ethan Quinn, Aidan Mayo, Zach Svajda, Eliot Spizzirri, Brandon Holt, Denis Kudla, Mitch Krueger, among others.
The other three Challengers that are part of this AO Wildcard Challenge are Knoxville, Champaign and finally Charlottesville.
The tournament opening yesterday was highlighted by Kozlov’s epic late night 76 46 64 victory vs. ATP 175 Dmitry Popko, a heavy hitting 27 year old veteran who he had lost both previous head to head matches with, in straight sets.
ATP · ATP Challenger · Australian Open · Chris Eubanks · Denis Kudla · Sioux Falls · South Dakota · Stefan Kozlov
