WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) Frances Tiafoe, a 17-year-old from Maryland, has earned his first main-draw Grand Slam tournament berth by clinching a French Open wild-card entry through the U.S. Tennis Association.
The USTA said that Tiafoe assured himself of finishing with the best results among American men at three events played on green clay on the Challenger tour by reaching the final at Tallahassee, Florida, with a victory Friday. Tiafoe beat Tennys Sandgren, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1), while fellow American Jared Donaldson lost to Facundo Arguello of Argentina 6-3, 6-2. Tiafoe also beat his first Top 100 opponent earlier this week in Tallahassee when he defeated No. 92 Facundo Bagnis.
Tiafoe earlier made it to the quarterfinals at Sarasota, Florida, and the semifinals at Savannah, Georgia. In late March, he won a Futures title on hard courts and turned pro. Tiafoe has reached three finals in Futures or Challengers this year.
As part of a reciprocal agreement with the French tennis federation, the USTA gets one men's and one women's wild card for Americans at Roland Garros.
The French Open starts May 24 in Paris. Other Americans in the main draw so far are John Isner, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, Donald Young, Steve Johnson, and Tim Smyczek.
Additional reporting from Matt Cronin.