July 25, 2012

STANFORD, Calif.- The latest chapter of Mallory Burdette's impressive summer tournament run continued last weekend, as the senior captured the singles title at the Women's Hospital Tennis Classic in Evansville, Indiana.

The Women's Hospital Tennis Classic, a $10,000 Pro Circuit event, represented the first career professional tournament title for Burdette. The Jackson, Ga., native was sharp throughout the competition, dropping only five games in three qualifying matches and 15 games overall during her five main draw matches before defeating China's Ying-Ying Duan 6-1, 6-2 in the final.

The Women's Hospital Tennis Classic is the first of three consecutive USTA Pro Circuit $10,000 hard-court tournaments on the women's calendar during the month of July, kicking off the summer hardcourt season in the U.S. It is the only USTA Pro Circuit event (men's or women's) held in the state of Indiana.

Meanwhile, Burdette has received a wild card into the main draw of this week's $50,000 Lexington Challenger.

Burdette's first career tournament victory comes on the heels of an outstanding performance at the Bank of the West Classic. Burdette picked her first career WTA victory in the event's opening round, outlasting Anne Keothavong 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 back on July 10. Two days later, Burdette gave 10th-ranked Marion Bartoli an early scare but was unable to convert on set point in a 7-5, 6-0 loss.

A two-time NCAA doubles champion, Burdette teamed with junior Nicole 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.

About the USTA Pro Circuit
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit 33 years ago to provide players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money.

Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Mardy Fish, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki, James Blake, Li Na and Andy Murray are among today's top stars that began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit. The USTA Pro Circuit is world-class tennis administered on the local level and played on local tennis courts as part of the fabric of communities nationwide -- an opportunity for current and new fans to experience the excitement and intensity of the professional game in their neighborhood.