FLUSHING, N.Y.? Former University of Kentucky men?s tennis standout Jesse Witten advanced to the second round of qualifying action in the 2006 United States Open Singles Championship on Tuesday.

Witten, the No. 190 ranked player, defeated fellow American Scott Oudsema in two sets to advance to Thursday?s second-round of play. The former Wildcat topped the two-time U.S. Open participant 7-5, 7-5.

Witten is attempting to play into the main competition of the U.S. Open which begins action August 28. The tournament is played throughout Queens, N.Y. until September 10.

The world?s No. 1 ranked player Roger Federer was named the top seed of the tournament Tuesday.

During his career at UK, Witten was just the 11th player in collegiate history to be named a four-time All-American.