Mmoh wins Boys' 18s National title, earns US Open wild card

August 15, 2016 12:19 PM

By Sally Milano, USTA.com

Michael Mmoh will make his Grand Slam main-draw singles debut at the US Open later this month after capturing the singles title Sunday at the USTA Boys’ 18s National Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Top-seeded Mmoh, the son of former Nigerian Olympian Tony Mmoh, defeated 17-year-old Vasil Kirkov of Tampa, Fla., seeded seventh, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, in the boys' 18s final. The 18-year-old from Bradenton, Fla., dominated play in each of his seven matches and did not drop a set en route to the championship.

Mmoh (pictured above) is currently ranked No. 386 in the ATP rankings and was ranked as high as No. 2 in the ITF World Junior Rankings last year. While he will be making his major singles debut in New York, he has played in a doubles Grand Slam previously, teaming with Frances Tiafoe to reach the second round of the US Open doubles main draw in 2014.

Mmoh has competed in the US Open Junior Championships three times previously – in 2012, when he reached the second round; in 2014, when he lost in the opening round; and in 2015, when he advanced to the quarterfinals. He also played in the men's qualifying tournament last year.

Iin the boys' 16s, top seed Lukas Greif of Evansville, Ind., captured the title, defeating No. 10 Jenson Brooksby of Carmichael, Calif., 6-0, 6-3, to earn a wild card into the US Open Junior Championships.

Like Mmoh, Greif did not drop a set during the tournament, and he lost only nine games total in the quarterfinals, semifinals and final.

Greif has been on a hot streak of late, coming into Kalamazoo after winning the USTA National Clay Court Championships just three weeks ago in Delray Beach, Fla.

Click here for complete results and draws from the 2016 USTA National Championships.

 

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