Brantmeier & Hamilton Clinch US Open Berth
June 19, 2025 | Women's Tennis
ORLANDO, FLA.—The University of North Carolina's Reese Brantmeier and Alanis Hamilton came from behind for the second consecutive day to win the championship match of the American Collegiate Wildcard Playoffs on Thursday morning at the USTA National Campus, topping Auburn's DJ Bennett and Ava Hrastar by a score of 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (10-5).
The marathon match lasted over three-and-a-half, hot hours in the Orlando sun.
With the victory, Brantmeier and Hamilton clinch a main draw wild-card entry into the 2025 US Open in August.
"Unbelievable, I think that's the longest doubles or otherwise match I've played in a very long time," Brantmeier said afterward. "I'm just super proud of us for fighting and excited that we get another chance to do it in New York."
"Like she said, I'm pretty sure that was the longest doubles match I've ever played," Hamilton said. "I think the way we got to earn it like that just feels so good.
Brantmeier and Hamilton trailed, 2-1, in the first set but rallied to tie it at 2-2, then grabbed a break to take a 3-2 lead. They followed by holding serve for a 4-2 lead. The Auburn team rebounded with four straight wins to take the first set, 6-4.
Brantmeier and Hamilton took a 2-1 lead in the second set and eventually outlasted Bennett and Hrastar in the second set, 7-6.
In the third and deciding set, Brantmeier and Hamilton scored six straight points to win another tiebreaker and clinch the victory.
Brantmeier and Hamilton had advanced to Thursday's final with a come-from-behind, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win in Thursday's semifinals over UCLA's Olivia Center and Kate Fakih.
The new event featuring the top American collegiate players, which was announced earlier this spring, will more than double the average number of American collegiate players who earn US Open wild cards this year, with six guaranteed US Open wild card entries up for grabs. The winners of the singles and doubles competitions will earn US Open main draw singles and doubles wild cards, respectively, while the men's and women's singles finalists will earn US Open qualifying wild cards.
Brantmeier and Hamilton finished the year ranked No. 2 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's doubles rankings while helping lead the Tar Heels to their second consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference championship and the NCAA Championship semifinals.
The marathon match lasted over three-and-a-half, hot hours in the Orlando sun.
With the victory, Brantmeier and Hamilton clinch a main draw wild-card entry into the 2025 US Open in August.
"Unbelievable, I think that's the longest doubles or otherwise match I've played in a very long time," Brantmeier said afterward. "I'm just super proud of us for fighting and excited that we get another chance to do it in New York."
"Like she said, I'm pretty sure that was the longest doubles match I've ever played," Hamilton said. "I think the way we got to earn it like that just feels so good.
Brantmeier and Hamilton trailed, 2-1, in the first set but rallied to tie it at 2-2, then grabbed a break to take a 3-2 lead. They followed by holding serve for a 4-2 lead. The Auburn team rebounded with four straight wins to take the first set, 6-4.
Brantmeier and Hamilton took a 2-1 lead in the second set and eventually outlasted Bennett and Hrastar in the second set, 7-6.
In the third and deciding set, Brantmeier and Hamilton scored six straight points to win another tiebreaker and clinch the victory.
Brantmeier and Hamilton had advanced to Thursday's final with a come-from-behind, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win in Thursday's semifinals over UCLA's Olivia Center and Kate Fakih.
The new event featuring the top American collegiate players, which was announced earlier this spring, will more than double the average number of American collegiate players who earn US Open wild cards this year, with six guaranteed US Open wild card entries up for grabs. The winners of the singles and doubles competitions will earn US Open main draw singles and doubles wild cards, respectively, while the men's and women's singles finalists will earn US Open qualifying wild cards.
Brantmeier and Hamilton finished the year ranked No. 2 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's doubles rankings while helping lead the Tar Heels to their second consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference championship and the NCAA Championship semifinals.
GOING THE DISTANCE.
— Carolina Women's Tennis 🐏🎾 (@UNC_wtennis) June 19, 2025
Reese & Alanis battled back with SIX STRAIGHT POINTS to win the set two tiebreak 😤
📺 » https://t.co/u3waKSrTUh pic.twitter.com/5KfebA19WY
WHAT 👏 A 👏 MATCH 👏
— Carolina Women's Tennis 🐏🎾 (@UNC_wtennis) June 19, 2025
Reese Brantmeier & Alanis Hamilton win the American Collegiate Wildcard Playoff and secure an entry to the 2025 @usopen in August!#GoHeels x @usta pic.twitter.com/CqzKwAeHLM
Match Point 🗣️ @CrackedRacquets pic.twitter.com/Cqu7VbB9qz
— Carolina Women's Tennis 🐏🎾 (@UNC_wtennis) June 19, 2025
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Carolina Insider - Interview with Caleb Wilson (Full Segment) - September 22, 2025
Monday, September 22
UNC Volleyball: Thorpe Sets New Career High in 4-Set Win vs ECU
Sunday, September 21
UNC Field Hockey: Heck's 5 Goals Propel Heels Over Stanford, 8-1
Sunday, September 21
UNC Men's Soccer: Tar Heels Fight for 1-1 Draw vs SMU
Sunday, September 21