University of North Carolina Athletics
Loeb Qualifies For US Open
August 27, 2021 | Women's Tennis
It was pretty straight forward the first time Jamie Loeb qualified for the US Open back in 2015. Win the NCAA Singles Championship and in most instances an automatic wild card spot in the main draw follows.
And that's exactly what happened for the Ossining, N.Y., product some six years ago when she became the first North Carolina women's tennis player to win the NCAA crown. Loeb did so by outlasting Carol Zhao of Sanford through significant weather delays in Waco, Texas.
Her opponent was fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki.
Since turning pro later that same year, Loeb had been unable to find a place in the US Open Main Draw. That all changed on Friday afternoon from court 5 in Flushing, N.Y., about an hour drive from her home in Westchester County.
Loeb took on Mihaela Buzarnescu, a 33-year old from Bucharest, Romania, ranked No. 154 in the world. The hometown hero got an early break and went on to win the opening set, 6-4. The second set was pushed all the way to a tiebreaker that ultimately went in favor of Loeb, 7-6 (2).
She knocked off India's Ankita Raina in the first round in three sets, and displayed a dominating back hand on Thursday to send Germany's Anna-Lena Friedsam home in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
Loeb will also have plenty of Tar Heel support this week at the US Open. Former teammate Hayley Carter, the 25th ranked doubles player in the world, will be joined in the field by 2021 NCAA Doubles champions Makenna Jones and Elizabeth Scotty, who earned a berth in the doubles field by virtue of winning the collegiate title this past May in Orlando.
Carter advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open last year, and has already competed in the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in 2021.
Loeb should learn her first-round opponent later tonight, while the doubles draw will be announced the week of Aug. 30.
And that's exactly what happened for the Ossining, N.Y., product some six years ago when she became the first North Carolina women's tennis player to win the NCAA crown. Loeb did so by outlasting Carol Zhao of Sanford through significant weather delays in Waco, Texas.
Her opponent was fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki.
Since turning pro later that same year, Loeb had been unable to find a place in the US Open Main Draw. That all changed on Friday afternoon from court 5 in Flushing, N.Y., about an hour drive from her home in Westchester County.
Loeb took on Mihaela Buzarnescu, a 33-year old from Bucharest, Romania, ranked No. 154 in the world. The hometown hero got an early break and went on to win the opening set, 6-4. The second set was pushed all the way to a tiebreaker that ultimately went in favor of Loeb, 7-6 (2).
For the first time since 2015, she's heading back to the @usopen main draw! 👏 pic.twitter.com/AmyMwbevM3
— USTA (@usta) August 27, 2021
She knocked off India's Ankita Raina in the first round in three sets, and displayed a dominating back hand on Thursday to send Germany's Anna-Lena Friedsam home in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
Loeb will also have plenty of Tar Heel support this week at the US Open. Former teammate Hayley Carter, the 25th ranked doubles player in the world, will be joined in the field by 2021 NCAA Doubles champions Makenna Jones and Elizabeth Scotty, who earned a berth in the doubles field by virtue of winning the collegiate title this past May in Orlando.
Carter advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open last year, and has already competed in the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in 2021.
Loeb should learn her first-round opponent later tonight, while the doubles draw will be announced the week of Aug. 30.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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