Aug. 31, 2012
STANFORD, Calif.- Bradley Klahn's impressive tourney run at the U.S. Open came to an end on Friday afternoon, falling to No. 13 seed Richard Gasquet of France 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in the second round of the main draw.
Klahn, who survived three rounds of qualifying just to earn a spot in the main draw, was coming off a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Austria's Jurgen Melzer on Wednesday in the opening round. It was the first five-set victory of Klahn's career.
Klahn At 2012 U.S. Open
Qualifying Draw First Round: d. Diego Junqueira (ARG) 6-3, 6-2
Qualifying Draw Second Round: d. Marco Trungelliti (ARG) 6-4, 7-6 (2)
Qualifying Draw Third Round: d. (9) Florent Serra (FRA) 6-4, 6-4
Main Draw First Round d. Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4
Main Draw Second Round: lost to (13) Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-3, 6-3, 6-1
Three months after closing out a tremendous college career on The Farm, 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.
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.
Klahn quotes, courtesy of Steve Pratt.
"I had a tough time putting in that same intensity that I had for my first win in a Grand Slam match on Wednesday. I don't think I made him earn it or work hard enough. He's not No. 13 in the world for anything. He just didn't give me anything. You really have to take it from him. I just never thought I sunk my teeth into the match.
"Even with the loss, I have to look at the big picture and try to gather and learn as much as I can and get back on the court and keep working as hard as I can. It's a long journey and this is just the beginning of it."
"It was a good accomplishment and nothing to be ashamed of. I'm not sure yet about Claremont (a USTA Pro Circuit Futures event Sept. 10-16). We'll see how I feel. Wherever my next tournament is my goal is to play my best and try to win as many matches as I can."
