Osuigwe, 16, clinches Aust Open wildcard

Whitney Osuigwe, a 16-year-old from Florida, has earned an Australian Open wildcard berth from the United States Tennis Association.

Osuigwe clinched a spot in the women's field at next year's first grand slam tournament in Melbourne by faring the best in recent lower-level tournaments, including a title at a USTA Pro Circuit event in Tyler, Texas.

She played in the main draw at a major championship for the first time at the 2018 US Open, gaining entrance by winning the USTA 18s national title.

Jack Sock earned the USTA's wildcard for men at the Australian Open, although he could get into the field via direct entry because he is currently ranked 106th.

With the next two men in the USTA standings, 98th-ranked Reilly Opelka and 77th-ranked Bradley Klahn, expected to automatically qualify to play in Melbourne, the USTA said Monday that its men's wildcard could wind up with Tommy Paul, who is ranked 205th.