Who made it out of the American Collegiate Player Wild Card Playoff?
Daniel Susann, Editor
Gorzny. Brantmeier. Carpico. Filin. Bennett. Esposito. Svajda. Scott.
Those are the names to listen for at the end of August as you partake in the biggest tournament in American tennis.
Based on their performances during the collegiate season, they were awarded an opportunity to earn a spot in the US Open draw at the American Collegiate Player Wild Card Playoff, along with 24 other players. Six spots were on the line across men's and women's singles and doubles, four in the main draws and two in the qualifiers for singles. Four players or duos competed in each category, but the aforementioned players were the ones to get through.
Singles semifinals
The playoff began with the singles semifinals on Tuesday, June 16 after a lengthy rain delay — something that became a common theme throughout the three-day event. No. 2 ranked Texas grad Sebastian Gorzny took care of junior Michigan State transfer Matthew Forbes, who dawned a Buckeyes uniform for the first time. Gorzny, who is also no stranger to the transfer portal, having transferred from TCU to Texas after winning a national championship with the Horned Frogs in 2024, looked dominant versus Forbes with a 6-4, 6-2 win.
On the other side of the men's singles bracket, NCAA Division I singles championship runner up Trevor Svajda represented SMU with poise, taking down Ohio State's Aidan Kim 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(10-3). Kim has played in both Wild Card Playoffs, as the event was started in 2025. Last year, he lost to Michael Zheng, who surprisingly decided to skip out on this year's event despite automatically qualifying as the 2025 NCAA Division I singles champion. Likely, Zheng opted out to focus on grass court season in Europe in combination with the fact that he has a high enough ATP ranking to earn a spot in the US Open qualifiers without needing to sweat out a couple of matches at Lake Nona.
Similar to the men's singles semifinal, the women's semifinal didn't see much drama. 2025 Division I singles champ UNC grad Reese Brantmeier was in control versus Michigan's Piper Charney, who actually defeated Brantmeier recently in the NCAA Third Round at the Chapel Hill Super Regional. But at that point, the Wolverines were on a red-hot run after claiming the Big Ten championship and nearly cruising into the Elite Eight, before the Tar Heels doused the flames. Without the energy of her teammates and against a highly-motivated Brantmeier who looks to kickstart her pro career, Charney couldn't find the answers. Brantmeier pulled through in a competitive first, and then dominated the final set to win 7-5, 6-2.
In the remaining singles semifinal, No. 11 Katrina Scott of Tennessee took on No. 4 Luciana Perry of Ohio State. Scott had not played all spring for the Volunteers due to eligibility concerns, but her talent is easily identifiable. Perry on the other hand had played in either the No. 1 or No. 2 spot for the Buckeyes as they took on a loaded schedule, and maintained a high level into the final stretch of the season, helping Ohio State reach the team semifinals. In the end, Scott came through with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory.
Doubles semifinals
The doubles semifinals were a bit of a snoozefest on the men's side. From the jump, the Buckeye duo of Nikita Filin and Brandon Carpico was the clear favorite, and through the two matches they played, they proved why. It began in the semifinals with a rout of Greyson Casey/Carter Pate of Northwestern 6-3, 6-2.
Also moving on was the Indiana duo of Michael Andre/Matteo Antonescu, who took down Alex Chang/Alexander Razeghi of Stanford in a tighter match 7-6(5), 6-4.
On the women's side, familiar faces dominated the board. A few of those were Tar Heel duo Brantmeier and Alanis Hamilton, who looked to claim the collegiate wildcard for the second straight season. The No. 4 ranked duo bounced Vanderbilt's Valeria Ray/Bridget Stammel in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to get back to the final.
Another familiar face DJ Bennett of Auburn, was back in the playoff, but this time with a new partner. Last year, she made it to the final with teammate Ava Hrastar. This year, it was Ava Esposito. They pushed past Jessica Bernales/Lily Jones of Michigan in three sets 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(10-5), winning the third-set 10-point tie-break that makes major tennis unique.
Singles and doubles finals
So much was on the line in Day 3 at Lake Nona. For Brantmeier, there was also a lot on the agenda. She had qualified for the final in both singles and doubles, forcing the tournament to delay the start of the women's doubles event. That was all good and dandy, until an hour and a half long rain delay put a wrench in things. With a 5:30 p.m. start time, a few matches had nearly concluded before the lightning delay came at around 7 p.m.
Gorzny was on the brink of putting away Svajda to earn the men's singles main draw wildcard. Carpico/Filin were cruising to victory against Andre/Antonescu, and both were within two points of clinching the win. Brantmeier was a little further off after taking the first set versus Scott, but the two were knotted at three games apiece in the second.
As play picked back up at around 8:30 p.m., the leading players and teams pulled ahead to prevent the challengers from forcing a third set. Gorzny claimed the main draw wildcard 6-2, 6-4, and Svajda had to settle for the qualifier spot. Carpico/Filin handled business 6-4, 6-1. Brantmeier held off Scott in a buster in the second 6-4, 7-6(9).
Still, Brantmeier's work was far from through. The women's doubles final would begin at around 10:10 p.m., and wouldn't finish up until 12:30. A three set battle in a quasi-rematch between Bennett and Brantmeier/Hamilton with her new partner in Ava Esposito brought a new result for the Auburn grad. After dropping the first set 4-6, the pair took down the defending champs late in the night 6-3, 7-5 as Brantmeier showed some fatigue, playing her fifth and sixth sets of the evening.
The US Open including the qualifying stages will run from Aug. 24 to Sept. 13, with coverage held on the ESPN family of networks.
