ATLANTA, Ga. -- At the Atlanta Athletic Club, Mercyhurst College senior tennis standout Keith Whittingham dropped a 6-3, 6-1 decision to Haitian native and University of Texas player Oliver Sajous in the opening round of the field of 16 at the U.S. Open National Playoffs.

Competing in the inaugural U.S. Open National Playoff Tournament, Whittingham bested a field of nearly 1,000 for the right to advance to the final 16 where the winner will earn a wild card entry into the US Open Qualifying Tournament held August 24-27 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. 

He reached the finals of the Northern Section Qualifying Tournament in Sartell, Minnesota last month to qualify for one of the top 16 berths where he fell to Tony Larson (6-2, 6-3).  Whittingham earned his spot when Larson was unable to compete in the Men's Championships.