Mackenzie McDonald gets wild card, is added to New York Open field at Nassau Coliseum
![Mackenzie McDonald reacts during a match against Grigor Dimitrov at...](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.newsday.com%2Fimage-service%2Fversion%2Fc%3AYjE1YmIzYjktNTQ5ZS00%3ANDhlM2Zk%2Fsptenn0210_web.jpg%3Ff%3DLandscape%2B16%253A9%26w%3D770%26q%3D1&w=1920&q=80)
Mackenzie McDonald reacts during a match against Grigor Dimitrov at the Australian Open tin Melbourne on Jan. 17, 2018. Credit: AFP/Getty Images / Paul Crock
The New York Open, making its debut at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum this coming week, has given a wild card to promising American player Mackenzie McDonald. The 22-year-old Californian made it through qualifying at the Australian Open and took third-seeded Grigor Dimitrov to five sets in the second round.
He also lost in the final of a Challenger event in Dallas last week to Kei Nishikori, who is in the New York Open field.
“We see it as part of our goals to give these young players a chance at the tour level,” tournament director Josh Ripple said.
On his way through the Australian qualifying McDonald beat Merrick’s Noah Rubin in the first round. Rubin is in the New York Open, as are up-and-coming Americans Frances Tiafoe and Sebastian Korda.