Stanford: Jamie Hampton took a few walks around the Stanford campus during the week, biding her time until she could get back on the court. A two-hour match helped her get right back into rhythm.
Hampton beat former Stanford All-American Nicole Gibbs 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-3 on Thursday in the second round of the Bank of the West Classic.
"When I got back from Wimbledon I had to get back into a practice mode," Hampton said. "It was a tough transition. I was shaking off some rust."
The fourth-seeded Hampton, ranked 29th, is playing her first tournament as a seeded player.
"It was my first match of the hard-court season," said Hampton, who reached her fifth quarter-final of the season. "I felt like I was struggling all day."
Gibbs, playing in her fourth tournament as a pro, was cheered on by a group of the Rose Bowl champion Stanford football players, led by quarterback Kevin Hogan.
"I would not say they were obnoxious but they were tough," Hampton said. "Really, I'm happy they came out to support their girl. It wasn't me, but that's OK."
Hampton continues to enjoy her best season yet. She reached one quarter-final last year, her best result leading into 2013.
Gibbs, who turned pro after winning the NCAA team and singles titles in May, was energized by the home crowd.
"I was disappointed I couldn't play better in the third set but at the end of the day I was concerned how I would match up with a top-30 player," Gibbs said. "I feel like I can hang with them. I can play at this level. I'd just like to start winning some of them."
Gibbs held a 5-4 edge in the first set before Hampton took the final three games.
Hampton overcame a 4-1 deficit in the second set to force a tiebreaker. She won the first four games of the third set to take control of the match.
"I didn't expect to be perfect," Hampton said. "But she also gave me everything I could handle."
Gibbs said she was more like a spectator at the start of the third set.
"She came out playing unbelievable in the third set," Gibbs said. "Over and over she was coming up with good shots. I was just looking at them, thinking, 'nope, too good.' I should have been more assertive."
In other matches, third-seeded Dominica Cibulkova of Slovakia downed Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele 7-5, 7-6 (5), and No. 7 Urszula Radwanska beat Daniela Hantuchova 7-6(3), 7-6(3).
Cibulkova and Radwanska will meet Friday in the quarter-final, while Hampton will play the winner of a late match between Madison Keys and Vera Dushevina.
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