NEW YORK -- As a wild-card entry, Mallory Burdette has quietly advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open. But the Stanford senior no longer will be flying under the radar.

Her next opponent will be third-seeded Maria Sharapova.

"It's going to be quite an experience," Burdette said of the prospect of facing Sharapova on Friday. "I've always looked up to Maria. I remember sitting with my coach, Nick, when she won her first Wimbledon title and talking about her game and the way that she plays. I would certainly love to play more like her. It's going to be a lot of fun."

To get to the third round, Burdette defeated Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-4 on Wednesday morning, and Sharapova took care of Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-0, 6-1 in the evening.