News Americas, MASON, Ohio, Mon. Aug. 24, 2015: Several tennis stars, including the Williams sisters, simply cannot understand why a 19-year-old Haitian-American who beat cancer has been denied entry into the main draw of the United States Open.
Victoria Duval, who was the breakout star of the tournament two years ago when she stunned the 2011 champion, Samantha Stosur in the first round, will have to win in three preliminary qualifying rounds in order to qualify for the tournament, according to the New York Times.
Venus Williams according to the Times says she thought Duval would have been “the most likely candidate” for a wild card.
Her sister, Serena Williams echoed her sister’s sentiments.
“If she wanted main draw, if she asked for it, then I would have thought they would have given it to her, since she’s played wonderful matches there,” Serena Williams was quoted as saying.
“Receiving a main-draw wild card into the U.S. Open would have been amazing,” Duval said last week. “But I am grateful for the qualifying wild card and look forward to competing next week at a place where I have so many fond memories.
The US Open starts on Aug. 31st.
