Paul Hemry and Whitney Williams of Anchorage won their first two matches Wednesday to advance to the mixed doubles quarterfinals at the U.S. Open National Playoffs in Arlington, Texas.

If they keep up their winning ways, they'll advance all the way to one of the sport's premier events -- the U.S. Open in New York.

The winners of the 19-team mixed doubles draw earn a berth in the U.S. Open, which means Hemry and Williams need to win three more matches in the single-elimination tournament.

The duo got off to a good start by sweeping Arianne Goddard and Peter Goddard of Dallas 6-0, 6-4.

In the next round, they staged a stirring comeback in a marathon tiebreaker to fend off Kelsey Grambeau and Max Montague of Dallas 6-4, 1-6, 12-10. Hemry and Williams trailed 5-1 and 7-4 in the tiebreaker and saved match-point twice.

Hemry, 38, coaches Williams, 16, at South High. He is a former Alaska high school star who is among the state's top players. She is a reigning Alaska high school star who is also among the state's top players.

The pair faces Rosalia Alda and Miguel Alda in a Thursday quarterfinal match.