TA Press Release, August 17, 2018
World No.153 Arina Rodionova (Vic) will lead the field at the 2018 US Open Australian women’s wildcard play-off set to take place at the Connecticut Tennis Centre in New Haven, United States from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 August.
Rodionova, who won the wildcard at last year’s play-off will be joined by [159] Olivia Rogowska (Vic), [162] Lizette Cabrera (Qld), [165] Priscilla Hon (Qld), [199] Jaimee Fourlis (Vic), [264] Astra Sharma (WA), [273] Ellen Perez(NSW) and [312] Abbie Myers (NSW) in the eight person knock-out draw.
Tennis Australia Head of Women’s Tennis Nicole Pratt said the play-off was a big opportunity for one deserving Aussie female to capitalise on.
“The depth in our women’s tennis group has significantly improved over the last couple of years,” Pratt said.
“Our Australian players are making their presence felt on the world stage and every player in the play-off has a tremendous opportunity to earn a spot to compete against the world’s top 100 at the US Open.
“The field is very strong, we have five players ranked inside the top 200 with many including Arina Rodionova, Olivia Rogowska, Priscilla Hon and Lizette Cabrera competing at WTA level.
“Many of the players have also won titles including Arina with two ITF doubles and a singles title, Jaimee Fourlis with two ITF singles titles and Astra Sharma has won three ITF singles and two doubles titles.
“We’ve also seen Ellen Perez win an impressive six ITF doubles titles and Abbie Myers has had some solid results on the ITF Pro Circuit. I’m sure it will be a tight battle between them all for that prized wildcard.”
The winner of the play-off will join a strong contingent of Australian women, including world No.16 Ashleigh Barty (Qld), [23] Daria Gavrilova (Vic), [58] Ajla Tomljanovic (Qld) and 2011 US Open champion [65] Samantha Stosur (Qld) in the main draw, which starts on Monday 27 August.
Queenslander world No.109 Jason Kubler was awarded a reciprocal US Open men’s wildcard this week after a breakout season highlighted by two ATP Challenger titles and a successful run through qualifying to contest his first Wimbledon main draw.
Kubler will join Aussie compatriots [18] Nick Kyrgios, [43] Alex de Minaur, [52]Matt Ebden, [53] John Millman and [98] Jordan Thompson in the main draw at Flushing Meadows.
Play begins at 10 am local time each day, the final of the play-off will be livestreamed via Tennis Australia Facebook on Sunday 19 August. For all play-off result updates follow Tennis Australia social media channels.
US Open Australian women’s wildcard play-off field – 2018 highlights
Arina Rodionova
World No.153
12-Aug: ITF $60,000 Landisville: Doubles champion w/ Ellen Perez (NSW)
29-July: ITF $60,000 Granby: Singles finalist
29-July: ITF $60,000 Granby: Doubles champion w/ Ellen Perez (NSW)
10-Jun: ITF $100,000 Surbiton: Doubles finalist w/ Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)
29-Apr: ITF $25,000 Obidos: Singles champion
Olivia Rogowska
World No.159
22-July: ITF $60,000 Burnie: Singles semifinalist
Lizette Cabrera
World No.162
11-Jun: WTA International, Nottingham: Doubles semifinalist w/ Irina Falconi (USA)
30-Apr: WTA International, Rabat: Doubles semifinalist w/ Jana Fett (CRO)
7-Jan: WTA International, Hobart: Doubles semifinalist w/ Alison Bai (ACT)
Priscilla Hon
World No.165
12-Aug: ITF $60,000 Landisville: Singles semifinalist
10-Jun: ITF $100,000 Surbiton: Singles semifinalist
25-Mar: ITF $60,000 Canberra: Doubles champion w/ Dalila Jakupovic (SLO)
Jaimee Fourlis
World No.199
25-May: ITF $25,000 Caserta: Doubles finalist w/ Ellen Perez (NSW)
29-April: ITF $25,000 Santa Margherita Di Pula: Singles champion
1-April: ITF $25,000 Canberra: Singles champion
Astra Sharma
World No.264
22-Jul: ITF $25,000 Gatineau: Singles champion
24-Jun: ITF $25,000 Baton Rouge: Singles champion
24-Jun: ITF $25,000 Baton Rouge: Doubles champion w/ Gabriela Talaba (ROU)
17-Jun: ITF $25,000 Sumter: Doubles champion w/ Luisa Stafani (BRA)
11-Mar: ITF $15,000 Orlando: Singles champion
Ellen Perez
World No.273
12-Aug: ITF $60,000 Landisville: Doubles champion w/ Arina Rodionova (Vic)
29-July: ITF $60,000 Granby: Doubles champion w/ Arina Rodionova (Vic)
22-July: ITF $60,000 Berkeley: Doubles champion w/ Sabrina Santamaria (USA)
10-Jun: ITF $100,000 Surbiton: Doubles champion w/ Jessica Moore (WA)
25-May: ITF $25,000 Caserta: Doubles finalist w/ Jaimee Fourlis (Vic)
1-April: ITF $25,000 Canberra: Singles finalist
18-Feb: ITF $25,000 Perth: Doubles champion w/ Jessica Moore (WA)
1-Feb: ITF $25,000 Launceston: Doubles champion w/ Jessica Moore (WA)
Abbie Myers
World No.312
20-May: ITF $60,000 Kurume: Singles finalist
*Rankings as of 13 August 2018
