FLUSHING, N.Y.? Former University of Kentucky men?s tennis standout Jesse Witten qualified for the main draw of the United States Open in a rain-delayed two-set victory Friday.

Witten used a dominating performance on the serving end to handedly beat Germany?s Dieter Kindlmann the No. 259 ranked player in the world. The former Wildcat jumped out to an early lead for a 6-3 victory in the first set. Kindlmann fought back in the second set, but Witten prevailed 6-4.

With the win, Witten automatically qualifies for the main draw of competition in the U.S. Open slated to being Monday, August 28. He is one of only 16 players to advance through the qualifying tournament into the main draw.

The world?s No. 1 ranked player Roger Federer was named the top seed of the tournament Tuesday, and Rafael Nadal holds the second seed.

Witten?s road to the US Open began with a victory over fellow American Scott Oudsema in two sets, 7-5, 7-5, Tuesday. In Thursday?s second round he needed three sets to advance past Spain?s Pablo Andujar, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.