Little known player Ellen Perez will make her US Open debut next week after stunning a duo of top players in the US Open wild card play-offs.
The 20-year-old produced back-to-back straight sets wins over the top two seeds, Arina Rodionova and Ashleigh Barty, at the Florida tournament to achieve the milestone in her young career. The triumph hasn’t just elevated Perez to her first grand slam singles main draw. She will also play in her first main draw level match on the WTA Tour.
“I’m really excited to utilise this opportunity to be among the best in the world,” Perez told Tennis Australia.
“I am most looking forward to the opportunity to compete in my first Grand Slam singles event, play in front of the crowds and learn from this experience in the future.”
In July Perez won her first ITF $10,000 title in Brussels, Belgium. Most recently, she also reached the final at another ITF event in Belgium. On the doubles tour, the 20-year-old has enjoyed greater success by winning four titles. During her summer swing in Europe this year, Perez achieved a win-loss of 19-2.
Wow wow wow I’m going to the US Open!!! 😵🎉 huge thanks to @TennisAustralia for the opportunity 🙏
— Ellen Perez (@EllenPerez95) 21 August 2016
Perez is currently based in America and has been studying at the university of Georgia since 2014. Last year she played in the Australian Open women’s doubles competition and lost in the first round.
