Luckless Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis has nabbed a US Open wildcard but Bernard Tomic is running the gauntlet at the final grand slam of the year.
Tomic has pulled out of qualifying but it is understood he still hopes to contest the New York major for the 10th straight year.
A one-time junior champion at Flushing Meadows, Tomic narrowly missed direct entry after slipping out of the world's top 100 following a first-round Wimbledon loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
The 26-year-old is the third alternate and could still take a place in the 128-strong men's singles draw if there are more withdrawals after the overnight scratching of 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro.
Kokkinakis has tumbled to No.212 in the world after yet another injury-plagued season but hopes to kickstart a career revival in New York.
"It's been a difficult six months," he admitted.
"After starting the year well in Brisbane and at the Australian Open, it was frustrating to have to take some time out.
"But my body is finally feeling good, I'm wrapped to be back playing and I'm really excited for the opportunity."
The 23-year-old former Davis Cup star - who beat Roger Federer last year - joins fellow Australians Nick Kyrgios, Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson, 2018 quarter-finalist John Millman and teenage gun Alexei Popyrin in the men's event starting on August 26.
Tomic's fellow Gold Coaster and former women's champion Samantha Stosur will contest her 15th US Open after also being handed a wildcard.
A stunning winner over Serena Williams in the 2011, Stosur joins world No.2 Ashleigh Barty, Ajla Tomljanovic, Daria Gavrilova and Astra Sharma as one of five Australians in the women's singles in New York.
At 35, Stosur, who has slipped to No.131 in the world rankings but remains a 2019 Fed Cup final option for Australia, will be the third-oldest player in the draw behind 37-year-old Serena and the American's sister Venus, who turns 40 next year.
"I guess I have always felt a little confidence boost here since I won," Stosur said.
"Coming here each year since 2011 always feels that extra bit special. Hopefully I can draw on that and play well and enjoy another good result here."
Stosur's wildcard gives Australia 10 players in the women's and men's singles main draws.
Another 15 Australians have entered US Open qualifying - seven men and eight women.
AUSTRALIANS AT THE US OPEN (PREFIX DENOTES RANKING):
Women in main draw
2-Ashleigh Barty
46-Ajla Tomljanovic
83-Daria Gavrilova
99-Astra Sharma
131-Samantha Stosur
Women in qualifying
137-Priscilla Hon
162-Ellen Perez
169-Zoe Hives
188-Destanee Aiava
193-Lizette Cabrera
206-Maddison Inglis
231-Kaylah McPhee
236-Arina Rodionova
Men in main draw
27-Nick Kyrgios
38-Alex de Minaur
49-Jordan Thompson
61-John Millman
96-Alexei Popyrin
212-Thanasi Kokkinakis
Men in qualifying
99-Matt Ebden
131-James Duckworth
134-Alex Bolt
166-Marc Polmans
183-Jason Kubler
197-Andrew Harris
234-Akira Santillan.
Australian Associated Press
