Resurgent JJ Wolf, Elvina Kalieva Lead US Open Wild Card Challenge

Resurgent JJ Wolf, Elvina Kalieva Lead US Open Wild Card Challenge – Tennis Now

Posted by Admin August 5, 2026 Tennis

The former World No.39 is angling for a US Open wild card.

27-year old J.J. Wolf, fresh off a 125K title in Vancouver, the biggest since his comeback from shoulder surgery commenced in February of this year, leads the USTA’s US Open Wild Card Challenge after its third of five weeks for the men.

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Wolf, a former World No.39 who was forced off the court by a shoulder injury last year, defeated Mark Lajal 7-5, 6-1 at the Odium Brown VanOpen.

Wolf, a former Ohio State standout, leads Columbia grad Michael Zheng by 87 points heading into the fourth of five total weeks of the competition. Zheng lost in first-round action at the Montreal Masters.

With just one week left in the women’s challenge, Kalieva leads the standings after reaching the semifinals of the WTA 250 Memphis Classic in Tennessee. Second-place Caroline Dolehide follows closely, sitting just 18 points back.

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Women’s Standings

(Player’s current ranking in parentheses)

1. Elvina Kalieva (No. 121) — 119
2. Caroline Dolehide (No. 256) — 101
3. Ayana Akli (No. 242) — 66

Men’s Standings

1. J.J. Wolf (No. 282) — 147
2. Michael Zheng (No. 113) — 60
3. Andres Martin (No. 340) — 57

Chris Oddo. Chris Oddo is a freelance sportswriter, podcaster, blogger and social media marker who is a lead contributor to Tennisnow.com. He also writes for USOpen.org, Rolandgarros.com, BNPParibasOpen.com, TennisTV.com, WTAtennis.com and the official US Open program.