Lexington, Ky. will host its 18^th consecutive USTA Pro Circuit Tour tournament this year on July 23-29, with even bigger implications on the line this time around. The $100,000 Fifth Third Bank Tennis Championships could be a vital part to one player’s road to the US Open later this year.

 

USTA Player Development announced that wild cards for the 2012 US Open will go to the American man and woman who earn the most ranking points at select USTA Pro Circuit events this summer, and Lexington will be included in this list.

 

The new qualifying system was successfully implemented for the French Open earlier this year, as Brian Baker found his way in on his well covered road back to tennis.

 

Three Southerners are set to compete in the men’s field. Robby Ginepri of Marietta, Ga., Tennys Sandgren of Gallatin, Tenn. and Rhyne Willimas of Knoxville, Tenn. are all featured in the main draw.

 

Competition will take place at the University of Kentucky’s Boone Tennis Center. For more information be sure to visit http://www.lexingtonchallenger.com.