Harkleroad, Stevenson among U.S. Open wild cards

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Alexandra Stevenson and Ashley Harkleroad were among eight women given U.S. Open wild cards Wednesday.

Martina Navratilova, who played singles at the French Open and Wimbledon, did not ask for a wild card, the U.S. Tennis Association said. Navratilova, 47, has said she'll retire at the end of the season.

The other wild card entries for the year's last Grand Slam tournament, which starts Aug. 30, are Angela Haynes, Jamea Jackson, Jessica Kirkland, Amber Liu, Bethanie Mattek and Kelly McCain.

Six of the eight players are 20 or younger.

Stevenson, 23, is a former top 20 player now ranked 142nd. In 1999, she became the first female qualifier to reach the Wimbledon semifinals.

She's been hampered by tendinitis in her right shoulder much of this season, playing in the main draw at just six WTA Tour events this season. She was one of two players named to the U.S. Fed Cup team for each round last year and was a bronze medalist in singles at the 1999 Pan American Games.

Harkleroad, 20, is ranked No. 93. Formerly in the top 40, she began the year by reaching her first career tour final in Auckland, New Zealand.

The USTA also awarded nine wild-card entries for U.S. Open qualifying: Sarah Fansler, Alexa Glatch, Vania King, Alexandra Mueller, Jessica Nguyen, Jewel Peterson, Andrea Remynse, Neha Uberoi and Shikha Uberoi.

The men's wild cards are expected to be announced Thursday.