Volvo Car Open Gives Wild Cards Into Qualifying Draw

The Volvo Car Open has issued three wild cards into its qualifying draw to young American players. Jessie Pegula, 21, Samantha Crawford, 20, and Maria Sanchez, 25, will compete for a spot in the tournament’s main draw, beginning on April 4 on Daniel Island.

“We typically award wild cards into our qualifying round to American players,” said Bob Moran, Tournament Director. “It’s always a great honor to give these girls a chance to compete at a WTA Premier event. It’s even more rewarding this year, as the next two American players on the entry list are Jessie and Sam, who train at MWTennis Academy, right here on-site at the Family Circle Tennis Center.”

Jessie Pegula has won three ITF doubles titles. This will be Pegula’s fourth time playing in Charleston’s qualifying draw. In 2013, she made the third round of the tournament before losing to Jelena Jankvoic.

Samantha Crawford has won one ITF singles title and three ITF doubles titles. In 2012, she won the US Open girl’s singles title. This will be Crawford’s first appearance at the Volvo Car Open.

Michael Joyce, former coach of Maria Sharapova, coaches both Pegula and Crawford at MWTennis Academy, the only training and coaching center for WTA touring players in South Carolina

Maria Sanchez has won one WTA doubles title, two ITF singles titles and 10 ITF doubles titles. Sanchez attended the University of Southern California, where she was a three-time All American tennis player in both singles and doubles. She was named the No. 1 collegiate player for the 2011-2012 season. This will be her second time playing the Volvo Car Open, the first since 2012.

The Volvo Car Open’s 56-player draw is made up of 43 direct entries into the tournament, five wild cards and eight qualifiers. View full main draw player field here: http://volvocaropen.com/players/field/.