University of Kentucky tennis star Liam Draxl has claimed one of two qualifying wild cards into the 2021 Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com, after winning the first pre-qualifying “Survivor” tournament for the event held Nov. 14-17 at the Delray Beach Swim & Tennis Center.
Runner-up DJ Thomas (left) and winner Liam Draxl
18-year-old Draxl, the tournament’s No. 1 seed, defeated No. 13 DJ Thomas (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) 6-3, 6-2 in the final. The Newmarket, Ontario native is currently a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, finished runner-up in doubles at the 2019 Junior Wimbledon, and has been ranked as high as No. 9 in the world in ITF Junior rankings. Draxl’s physically and mentally imposing game earned him seven consecutive wins in four days and the ultimate prize, a wild card into the qualifying tournament at February’s ATP event.
More than 150 players ranging from aspiring juniors to local club champions battled it out in the USTA Men’s Open event to earn their shot to compete against ATP pros in February. The event featured no-ad scoring through two tie-break sets with a 7-point tie-break at one set all.
A UTR tournament scheduled for Jan. 2-4, 2021, will serve as a second opportunity to earn a wild card into the Delray Beach Open qualifying tournament, which will be held Feb. 13-14. Four players from the two-round qualifying event will advance to the tournament’s main draw, which will take place Feb. 15-21.
All participants in these pre-qualifying events will receive two complimentary tickets to a day session (date TBD) of the 2021 Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com opening weekend. Play that weekend will include both the qualifying tournament as well as action from the tournament’s ATP Champions Tour event. In addition, participants may receive a 20% discount on individual tickets to a session of their choice (must be purchased by Dec. 31, 2020).
Online registration for the Jan. 2-4 UTR event must be completed by 9 p.m. on Dec. 30.
For more information about participating in these survivor series pre-qualifying events, visit www.yellowtennisball.com/survivor.
