US college player Mallory Burdette reached the US Open third round, but admitted the $US65,000 ($A63,000) she has earned so far on her Grand Slam debut will have to remain unclaimed.
The 21-year-old Burdette, who studies psychology at Stanford University in California, is officially classed as an amateur and with another year left on her studies, will not get a chance to spend her prize money.
“I have already checked the amateur box, so if I know correctly, you can’t go back once the tournament starts. So it’s done,” said Burdette, who reached the last 32 with a 6-2 6-4 win over Lucie Hradecka, the world 69.
Burdette, who is ranked 252 in the world and made the main draw as a wildcard, will face a tougher opponent in the third round – former champion Maria Sharapova.
“It’s going to be quite an experience. I’ve always looked up to Maria. I remember sitting with my coach when she won her Wimbledon title in 2004 and talking about her game and the way that she plays,” said Burdette.
“I would certainly love to play more like her. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Sharapova, the third seed and winner in New York in 2006, was facing Spain’s Lourdes Dominguez Lino later on Wednesday.
Having studied psychology, Burdette wants to put her skills learned at Stanford to good use against the Russian superstar in a tie that is likely to be played on the main Arthur Ashe showcourt.
“Maria is very meticulous between points, doing her routines. That’s something I have definitely worked on this summer, so I look up to her in a lot of ways,” said Burdette.
“You can tell she’s in the zone every time she walks up to play a point,” she said. “That’s amazing, and nobody’s perfect when it comes to their mental side.”