Aug. 21, 2012

USC grad Maria Sanchez has taken her first step toward a spot in the US Open main draw after a win today in the first round of singles qualifying. It's a big step for the Trojan star, who has been making moves up the pro ranks since finishing up at USC in 2011.

Sanchez' first soiree into the US Open scene started today in the women's singles qualifying first round. She went up against No. 16 seed Laura Pous-Tio of Spain and served up a straight-set victory. Sanchez put forth a strong first-set tiebreaker performance and then cruised in the second set for a 7-6 (1), 6-1 win. That puts Sanchez in the second round of qualifying against Romania's Cristina Mitu.

Starting tomorrow (August 22), two more USC representatives will be looking for a spot in the US Open mixed doubles draw. Current USC associate head coach West Nott and 2012 grad Alison Ramos are teamed up for competition at the US Open National Playoffs. As winners of the Southern California Sectional championship earlier this summer, Nott and Ramos are now lined up for competition in New Haven, Conn., where the sectional winners will compete for the right to a wild card into the US Open Mixed Doubles main draw.

Current Trojan Giuliana Olmos was also close to maneuvering her way into the singles qualifying draw. As the singles champion in the Northern California Sectional, Olmos earned a place in the National Playoffs as well. She came up short of the win, however, to miss a place in this year's US Open.

Follow along at www.usopen.org