The US Open Wild Card Challenge is an annual competition. It gives lower-ranked Americans an opportunity to receive a wild card into the main draw of their home major, the US Open. The wild cards are awarded to the man and woman who win the challenge by accumulating the most points over a 5 week long period. For the men, the top three results are used. For the women, the top two results are counted.

Past winners of the challenge on the women’s side include: Shelby Rogers, Nicole Gibbs, Samantha Crawford, and Sofia Kenin.

Kenin has actually won the contest the previous two years (2016 and 2017). In the 2017 US Open she reached the third round before Maria Sharapova ended her run.

Week 4 is underway of the competition, with women competing in one of three events: a $60K in Lexington, Kentucky, the Citi Open in Washington, D.C., or the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose, California. As of week 3, the leaders in competition are:

1. Gail Brodsky 88

2. Maegan Manasse 56

T3. Jessica Pegula 48

T3. Nicole Gibbs 48



Brodsky earned the majority of her points from winning the $60K in Ashland, Kentucky last week. She beat former Cal Bear and All-American Maegan Manasse in the final 4-6, 6-1, 6-0.

Pegula and Gibbs earned their points from reaching the finals of the $60K in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the $60K in Berkeley, California, respectively. Manasse is ahead of them because of a first round win in Berkeley, giving her 8 extra points.

It was a good run for @maegman326, but the Young Blue lost to Gail Brodsky, 4-6, 6-1, 6-0, in today’s 60k Ashland final #ProBears pic.twitter.com/mHjnGr9s9A — Cal Women’s Tennis (@CalWomensTennis) July 29, 2018

The most interesting story in this Wild Card Challenge centers around the current leader, Gail Brodsky. Brodsky is a 27 year old mother of two who hadn’t played professionally since 2012. Brodsky has played in the main draw of the US Open twice, and is seeking to make it a third in her return to professional tennis. During her hiatus, she has “learned to enjoy playing, and to play without pressure or fear”.

Despite Brodsky’s lead and determination, the field is currently wide open. Pegula even has a chance to take the lead this week. Brodsky lost in the first round in Lexington, Gibbs lost in qualifying in the Silicon Valley Classic, and Manasse is not competing in one of the three events in the Challenge. Pegula won her first round in Lexington, and is still playing.

Gail Brodsky’s challenge for a #USOpen wild card just took a hit with a 6-3 6-3 loss to 21-year-old qualifier Kennedy Shaffer, ranked No. 784 in the world. Brodsky still leads, but it could open the door for an Allie Kiick, Jessica Pegula, Sanaz Marand or Jennifer Elie. — Ash Marshall (@AMarshallSport) August 1, 2018

Any American that presents a strong showing this week will likely take the lead, but the last event of the series, another $60K in Landisville, Pa. will be crucial.

One thing is for sure, every American in that event will be hungry for a win and for the chance to play under the lights in Flushing Meadows. I’m rooting for Maegan (she’s amazing & go bears!), but I’ll be happy for whoever comes away with the wildcard.

Do you have a prediction for who will get that wildcard spot? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.