Oudin ranked too low for direct entry to US Open

[July 20, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Three years after she reached the U.S. Open quarterfinals, American Melanie Oudin won't earn direct entry into the tournament because her ranking has fallen to 121st in the world.

The U.S. Tennis Association announced Thursday the top 102 women who automatically get into the Open. Two others, Agnes Szavay and Timea Bacsinszky, used protected rankings to make it.

Oudin can still get in through one of the eight wild-card spots awarded by the USTA.

Sixteen additional players will make it through qualifying.

Oudin was the darling of the 2009 Open as a 17-year-old, upsetting Maria Sharapova during her run. She has been ranked as high as 31st in her career but has struggled to maintain that form.

[Associated Press]

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