With the decisive victory over Serbia’s’ Pedja Krstin in straight sets, former Alabama tennis star Saketh Myneni clinched his first career spot in a Grand Slam at this year’s U.S. Open.
Myneni, who graduated from Alabama in 2010, took some time to soak up the moment after his triumph over Krstin.
“This is a dream come true, to play on the big stage,” he said.
Myneni’s short stretch of dominance began with a swift defeat of France’s Albano Olivetti 6-3, 7-5, and over America’s own Mitchell Krueger 7-6(6), 6-4. Now, moving on after defeating Krstin, Myneni will face Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic.
Saketh, an Indian native, is ranked No. 143 on the ATP charts and has won four consecutive matches, all in straight sets. He now surges his way into the main draw at the 2016 U.S. Open.
The right-handed server will take court in Flushing, New York, against Vesely on Aug. 29 when the main draw action begins.