Bode Miller's quest to make the U.S. Open tennis tournament came to a quick end, when he lost 6-4, 6-2 to Erik Nelson-Kortland in an opening match in sectional playoffs at the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park Tennis Complex.

Miller, who has five Olympic Alpine skiing medals to his credit, was a state champion tennis player in high school.

The USTA agreed to bankroll his trip to Hawaii and donate money to his charity in exchange for him playing in the qualifier.

But Miller tells The Associated Press he has barely played since the end of the Vancouver Olympics and had low expectations.

The USTA is awarding one spot in the U.S. Open to the winner of a series of qualifying events taking place this summer.