Although playing indoors in Atlanta, GA with temperatures outside windy and about 45 degrees may not seem like the ideal preparation for the blistering sun of the Australian Open, two young Americans had Georgia and Australia "on their mind" this weekend as they landed spots in the main draw at the 2011 Australian Open.
The United States Tennis Association gets one men's and one women's wildcard in the Austrailan Open in a wildcard exchange with Tennis Australia.
Lauren Davis, and amateur from Gates Mill, OH took the women's spot with a 6-2, 6-2 win over favored CoCo Vandeweghe. Davis has been on quite a roll winning 27-straight matches in tournament competition, and she is hoping that roll continues in Australia. "Depending on the draw, winning a round or two is realistic", said Davis. Davis had only eight unforced errors in the match, while Vandeweghe struggled from the baseline.
Davis said the key for her was staying positive and not getting down on herself. She was pleased with the way she handled Vandeweghe's serve. Davis said she has never been to Australia, and when a reporter asked if she knew the Capital of Australia, she quickly answered "Sydney!" Looks like she will learn a little more about our friends "down under", as well as tennis on her trip.
Ryan Harrison, one of the many bright young American men in the draw locked up the men's wildcard with a four-set victory over Jack Sock. Harrison used his all-court game to defeat the Nebraska native 7-6, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4.
For Harrison it will give him a chance to build on his U.S. Open success in another Grand Slam event. Sock also has much to be proud of, he played well all weekend and his forehand was a weapon all weekend. Harrison and Sock are both looking for major breakthroughs in 2011. They are well on their way.