Miami All-American to Compete in US Open Qualifying Tournament

Aug. 24, 2009

CORAL GABLES, FLA. – Former University of Miami men’s tennis standout Luigi D’Agord will compete in the US Open Qualifying Tournament at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., from Tues., Aug. 25 through Fri., Aug. 28.

A four-time All-American and two-time ACC Player of the Year for the Hurricanes after back-to-back undefeated seasons in conference play in 2006 and 2007, D’Agord is one of 128 men’s players competing for the final 16 spots in the US Open, which runs from Aug. 31 through Sept. 13.

Also joining D’Agord in tomorrow’s competition are former Hurricanes Mike Russell and Todd Widom. Russell (1996-97), who has been ranked as high as No. 60 in the world, set the UM record for single-season wins with a 39-7 record en route to All-American honors and the 1997 Rolex National Intercollegiate Indoor Tennis Championship. Widom (2001-03) has been ranked as high as No. 200 in the world and has gone 3-2 in ATP competition this year, including competing in Wimbledon.

Just two years removed from his collegiate career, D’Agord has put together a strong summer, winning four ITF Futures tournaments and posting a 4-1 mark in Futures finals. He has climbed the rankings, reaching a career-high standing of No. 293 in the world on Aug. 3, and enters Tuesday’s competition ranked No. 320.

With 128 men and 128 women competing for entry into the US Open, this week’s Qualifying Tournament is one of the largest in the United States, with $1 million in prize money. The 16 men and 16 women that advance to the US Open then have the opportunity to compete versus the world’s top players for the $21.6 million purse.