University of Tennessee Athletics
Sandgren to make French Open Debut Sunday
May 27, 2017 | Men's Tennis
(Photo Credit: Jacob Stuckey - SJ/C Savannah Challenger)
PARIS, France — Former Tennessee All-American Tennys Sandgren is set to make his Grand Slam debut on Sunday at the French Open.
Sandgren, who earned the USTA's wild card earlier this month, will take on world No. 88 Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan. Their match is scheduled for third on court 17.
A native of Gallatin, Tennessee, and a 2011 NCAA semifinalist for the Vols, Sandgren is closing in on the top 100. He enters the French Open ranked No. 112 in the ATP World Tour Rankings.
He received the French Open wild card after his performance on American clay courts, winning the Savannah Challenger and reaching the finals at the Sarasota Challenger. He made his ATP Tour-level debut this year after qualifying at the U.S. Clay Court Championships in Houston.
FRENCH OPEN - TOP TENNESSEE PERFORMANCES: Head coach Chris Woodruff played in the main draw at Roland Garros five times in his career, reaching the third round three times. One of his most memorable career victories came in his debut in 1996 when he knocked of then-No. 3 Andre Agassi in a five-set thriller 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.
Mel Purcell, the 1980 NCAA doubles champion, recorded the Vols' best results at the French Open. In back-to-back years in 1981 and 1982, he reached the fourth round. His runs were ended by American greats Jimmy Connors (1981) and Vitas Gerulaitis (1982). Purcell was 11-6 in his singles career at Roland Garros.
In doubles, the quarterfinals is the best result for any Vol on the French Open's red clay. Purcell was a doubles quarterfinalist in 1981. Annacone played his way into the quarterfinals in 1985. The Vols' all-time singles wins leader Byron Talbot did the same most recently in 1996.
