ORLANDO, April 12, 2022 (USTA Press Release)
CoCo Vandeweghe and Michael Mmoh lead after the first week of the Roland Garros Wild Card Challenge after both took advantage of receiving lucky loser slots to make impressive runs.
Vandeweghe, the former world No. 9, reached the quarterfinals at the WTA 500 event in Charleston. Her run included an upset of fellow countrywomen Jessica Pegula, who was the tournament’s No. 6 seed. Vandeweghe’s quarterfinal appearance earned her 113 points and she leads Emma Navarro and Hailey Baptiste, who each earned 30 points by reaching the second round in Charleston. Five players are tied for fourth with 25 points after qualifying for the Charleston main draw.
1. CoCo Vandeweghe — 113
T2. Emma Navarro — 30
T2. Hailey Baptiste — 30
T4. Robin Anderson — 25
T4. Sachia Vickey — 25
T4. Allie Kiick — 25
T4. Sophie Chang — 25
T4. Francesca Di Lorenzo — 25
Michael Mmoh found himself in the main draw at the ATP 250 event in Houston after top-seeded Casper Ruud was forced to withdraw. Mmoh reached the quarterfinals where he was set to face Nick Kyrgios before having to withdraw himself due to a groin injury. The run in Houston earned Mmoh 51 points and put him ahead of Mitchell Krueger, who earned 32 points by qualifying for the main draw in Houston and reaching the second round. There are three players tied with 20 points after also reaching the second round in Houston.
1. Michael Mmoh — 51
2. Mitchell Krueger — 32
T3. JJ Wolf — 20
T3. Steve Johnson — 20
T3. Sam Querrey — 20
Both the men’s and women’s wild cards will be awarded to the Americans with the most ranking points earned at a maximum of three clay-court tournaments during a five-week window for the women and a four-week window for the men. All red-clay and Har-Tru events at the 25 level and above, including WTA and ATP Tour events, will be included in the Challenge. The Men’s Challenge runs through the week of April 25, while the Women’s Challenge runs through May 2.
Americans who otherwise earn direct entry into the French Open are not eligible, nor are players ranked in the ATP or WTA Top 50 at the start of the challenge. Should the player with the highest number of challenge points earn direct entry into the French Open, the wild card will go to the next eligible American in the Challenge points standings. In the event of a tie, the player with the best ATP or best WTA singles ranking on the Monday immediately following the challenge’s conclusion will earn the wild card.