WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Eight young American tennis players, led by Alexandra Stevenson, were given wild-card entries to the main draw of the singles of the U.S. Open on Thursday.

The 20-year-old Stevenson became the first player to advance through the qualifying rounds to reach the singles semifinals at Wimbledon two years ago. She reached the third round of the Acura Tennis Classic in her hometown of San Diego earlier this month, losing to Martina Hingis. She is currently ranked 102nd on the WTA Tour.

The others extended entries, all 20 or under, were: Allison Bradshaw of San Diego; Ansley Cargill of Atlanta; Laura Granville of Chicago; Ashley Harkleroad of Wesley Chapel, Fla.; Amber Liu of Le Mesa, Calif.; Bethanie Mattek of Boca Raton, Fla.; and Sarah Taylor of Bradenton, Fla.

Brie Rippner, of Chico, Calif., earned an automatic wild-card entry as the top American on the USTA Professional Circuit, but could not accept it because of an injury.

The Open, the season's last Grand Slam tournament, begins Aug. 27 at the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow, N.Y.