Aug. 26, 2012

STANFORD, Calif.- Both Stanford tennis programs will be well represented when U.S. Open competition gets underway on Monday morning in New York.

Bradley Klahn survived three rounds of U.S. Open qualifying to earn a spot in the main draw. On the women's side, senior Mallory Burdette and junior Nicole Gibbs already clinched berths into the main draw as wildcards. Burdette and Gibbs also earned a main draw wildcard in doubles.

Three months after closing out a tremendous college career, Klahn has been competing in professional tournaments during the summer. Despite entering the U.S. Open qualifying field as a wildcard, Klahn ripped off three consecutive straight-set victories to punch his ticket to the main draw. Klahn will battle Jurgen Melzer of Austria in the opening round (TBA).

A three-time All-American in both singles and doubles, Klahn posted a 130-34 overall singles record and captured five singles titles during his career on The Farm. After winning the 2010 NCAA singles title, Klahn received a wildcard entry into the U.S. Open main draw that same year and gave 20th-seeded Sam Querrey a scare before dropping a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 decision.

Burdette has enjoyed a successful summer testing her game on the pro circuit, collecting singles crowns at the Hospital Tennis Classic ($10,000 USTA Pro Circuit) and Odlum Brown Vancouver Open ($200,000 USTA Pro Circuit), which earned her a main draw U.S. Open wildcard. Burdette's first round opponent will be Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky (Monday, afternoon session). Back in July, Burdette picked up her first career WTA victory in the Bank of the West Classic opening round before hanging tough early on against 10th-ranked Marion Bartoli in a 7-5, 6-0 loss.

A two-time NCAA doubles champion, Burdette teamed with Gibbs to win this year's title one season after bringing home the 2011 crown with Hilary Barte. The 2012 NCAA singles runner-up, Burdette has compiled a 104-22 overall singles record in three seasons.

Gibbs continues to emerge as one of the best young players in the game, with her stock rising even more after a recent strong showing at the New Haven Open in which she won three qualifying matches and her main draw opener. Gibbs won her first professional tournament in early July, bringing home the hardware at the Colorado International ($50,000 ITF Pro Circuit) despite entering as a qualifier. Gibbs isn't going to be rattled by the big names and bright lights either, as she's already squared off against the likes of Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova this summer. Gibbs is matched up with France's Alize Cornet in the first round (Monday, afternoon session).

A three-time All-American, Gibbs is coming off one of the best seasons in school history, becoming only the third player in NCAA history to capture both the NCAA singles and doubles titles in the same season. Stanford's first NCAA singles champion since Amber Liu in 2004, Gibbs was also named the 2012 Honda Sports Award recipient and ITA National Player of the Year. In just two seasons, Gibbs has produced an 87-11 overall record and 48-2 mark in dual match play.

Burdette and Gibbs will also team up in doubles, drawing the sister duo of Serena Williams and Venus Williams in the opening round. Burdette and Gibbs captured the 2012 NCAA doubles crown, collecting Stanford's 15th overall collegiate doubles titles in school history and eighth since the NCAA adopted its current format in 1982. Burdette and Gibbs wrapped up the year 35-5 overall, 18-2 in duals, 17-3 in tournament play and 18-4 against nationally-ranked opponents.

Three weeks after claiming the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, the doubles team of Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan will return to action. The 34-year-old twins will take on the Belgian duo of Steve Darcis and David Goffin in search of their 12th Grand Slam title.

Additionally, Scott Lipsky is paired with Santiago Gonzalez in the doubles draw as the No. 16 seed. Lipsky and Gonzalez will face the team of Robin Haase and Andreas Seppi in the first round. Lipsky is coming off a doubles title victory at the Winston-Salem Open.