Robin Montgomery earned her spot in the 2026 US Open main draw on Thursday, rallying past Canada's Carson Branstine 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the final round of US Open qualifiers.
Robin Montgomery Battles in US Open Qualifiers Run
The 21-year-old from Washington, DC dropped the opening set before taking control, winning 12 of the final 16 games to secure her third career appearance at Flushing Meadows. Before that, she had swept through the earlier rounds, beating Kayla Cross 6-1, 6-1 and then Jeline Vandromme 7-5, 6-3.
Main draw next 🙌
— USTA (@usta) August 27, 2026
First American qualifier Robin Montgomery defeats Branstine 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. pic.twitter.com/d0B3Y4fXUK
"For me, I need matches," she said after her first qualifying win. "It's just another great opportunity. I didn't know if I was going to make qualifying off my own ranking so I'm just being grateful and keeping perspective."
Montgomery's path to the this year's Grand Slam field wasn't exactly straightforward.
US Open Draw Caps Montgomery's Injury Comeback
After missing 9 months with a wrist injury, she returned in March and won her first WTA title at the Libéma Open, becoming the lowest-ranked woman to win a grass-court tour-level title.
That form carried into Wimbledon, where she beat Katie Boulter and pushed Jasmine Paolini to three sets. Now back at the site where she won junior singles and doubles titles in 2021, Montgomery sounds ready for more.
