University of Tennessee Athletics
Sandgren Continues Historic Run at Australian Open
January 22, 2018 | Men's Tennis
MELBOURNE, Australia — Former Vol All-American Tennys Sandgren defied expectations once again at the Australian Open, beating his second top-10 opponent to reach the quarterfinals Monday.
Sandgren, who entered the tournament ranked No. 97 in the ATP World Tour Rankings, ousted fifth-seeded Dominic Thiem 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-7(7), 6-3 in the fourth round at Hisense Arena.
He will face Korea's Hyeon Chung in the quarterfinals. The 21-year-old stunned six-time champion Novak Djokovic in the fourth round and beat fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev in the third round.
Sandgren started his run at Melbourne Park having only won two ATP Tour-level matches in his career and had never won a main draw match in a Grand Slam. Now he is one of just eight players remaining from the field of 128 with two top-10 wins under his belt: No. 9 Stan Wawrinka in the second round and No. 5 Thiem.
"I definitely had a real pinch-me moment," Sandgren said after his fourth-round win. "Wow, this is hopefully real, you know. If I wake up now, I'm going to be real upset."
Five University of Tennessee players have reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, the furthest a Vol has advanced in singles at a major. Sandgren is the first to reach the field of eight since head coach Chris Woodruff did so at the 2000 Australian Open.
Additional Vol quarterfinalist include: Paul Annacone (1984, Wimbledon), Mel Purcell (1983, Wimbledon) and Rodney Harmon (1982, US Open).
Sandgren had one match point opportunity come and go in an electric, fourth-set tiebreaker, which Thiem won 9-7.
The Tennessee native's belief did not waver in the deciding fifth set. He broke Thiem's serve in the sixth game to go up 4-2 and maintained his lead the rest of the way, sealing the match with an inside out forehand winner.
SANDGREN'S TENNESSEE CAREER: Sandgren, a native of Gallatin, Tennessee, played for the Vols for two seasons, helping the team to SEC titles in 2010 and 2011 and the NCAA team finals in 2010. He earned All-America honors in 2011 after reaching the semifinals of the NCAA singles championships. He never lost a singles match in Knoxville and went a near-perfect 20-1 in SEC dual matches. He earned All-SEC honors as a freshman and sophomore before starting his professional career.
Sandgren, who entered the tournament ranked No. 97 in the ATP World Tour Rankings, ousted fifth-seeded Dominic Thiem 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-7(7), 6-3 in the fourth round at Hisense Arena.
He will face Korea's Hyeon Chung in the quarterfinals. The 21-year-old stunned six-time champion Novak Djokovic in the fourth round and beat fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev in the third round.
Sandgren started his run at Melbourne Park having only won two ATP Tour-level matches in his career and had never won a main draw match in a Grand Slam. Now he is one of just eight players remaining from the field of 128 with two top-10 wins under his belt: No. 9 Stan Wawrinka in the second round and No. 5 Thiem.
"I definitely had a real pinch-me moment," Sandgren said after his fourth-round win. "Wow, this is hopefully real, you know. If I wake up now, I'm going to be real upset."
Five University of Tennessee players have reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, the furthest a Vol has advanced in singles at a major. Sandgren is the first to reach the field of eight since head coach Chris Woodruff did so at the 2000 Australian Open.
Additional Vol quarterfinalist include: Paul Annacone (1984, Wimbledon), Mel Purcell (1983, Wimbledon) and Rodney Harmon (1982, US Open).
Sandgren had one match point opportunity come and go in an electric, fourth-set tiebreaker, which Thiem won 9-7.
The Tennessee native's belief did not waver in the deciding fifth set. He broke Thiem's serve in the sixth game to go up 4-2 and maintained his lead the rest of the way, sealing the match with an inside out forehand winner.
SANDGREN'S TENNESSEE CAREER: Sandgren, a native of Gallatin, Tennessee, played for the Vols for two seasons, helping the team to SEC titles in 2010 and 2011 and the NCAA team finals in 2010. He earned All-America honors in 2011 after reaching the semifinals of the NCAA singles championships. He never lost a singles match in Knoxville and went a near-perfect 20-1 in SEC dual matches. He earned All-SEC honors as a freshman and sophomore before starting his professional career.
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