USTA-Nevada

Lexus of Las Vegas Open - Asia upsets 5th seed #127 in the world

LAS VEGAS, Nev., (Sept. 29, 2010) - Alexa Glatch doesn't know if she'll ever play at 100 percent physically again, but she reported on Wednesday that the bulging disk injury in her lower back felt "a thousand times better" than one year ago.

That's good news for Glatch and bad news for her future opponents, including the rest of the Round of 16 singles field remaining at the Lexus of Las Vegas Open where Glatch beat Mashona Washington, 6-3, 6-4, in the first round on Wednesday at the Red Rock Country Club.

Also on Wednesday, Las Vegas' Asia Muhammad, 19, opened up play upsetting No. 5 seeded Mariana Duque-Marino of Colombia, 6-1, 6-7 (2), 6-3. This victory is one of many times Muhammad has beaten top 100 players in the world. Muhammad has wins over Melanie Oudin and a number of top 60, 80 and 90 players in the world. Last year she beat the number 1 player in the world at the US OPEN Junior Grandslam.

"Asia has proven she can beat the best of the best," said USTA-Nevada Executive Director. "She just needs to stay off the injured reserve list which really effected her this past year."

Muhammad meets American Lauren Albanese in a second-round match Thursday on Stadium Court not before 3:30 p.m. Muhammad beat Albanese in the same round last year at this event before she fell in the quarterfinals to the eventual winner.

"It feels great playing in front of the hometown crowd," Muhammad told the crowd. "I get some home cooked meals and see a lot of familiar faces."

Asia had her brothers, mother and father on hand today, as well as a large supporting crowd.

"We are so pleased with what the USTA has done for our daughter," said Ron Holmes who is also on the USTA-Nevada board of Directors. "But now I am glad she is starting to earn her own way," he said in reference to her getting into the main draw without the need of a wild card.

"Asia has always had the tools and today she used them to the best of her ability," said her coach Tim Blenkiron. "After winning the first 6-1 I was glad she was pushed to win it 6-3 in the third. She performed under a lot of pressure against a great player."

The tournament had some big names in the tennis world watching on today, including Gil Reyes, coach and commentator Darren Cahill, as well as Tom Gullikson. Gullikson is now the USTA National coach in charge of developing the next Serena Williams. He works with a variety of USA players.

One succh American Alexa Glatch, 21, made a move from the beach (Newport) to the mountains (Parker, Colo.) at the end of last year and was hoping her new surroundings would do her career some good. Currently ranked No. 269 in the world, Glatch has always been a talented player who many feel hasn't yet reached her full potential.

"My back is feeling pretty good now," said Glatch, who is being coached by Ryan Segelkeand has a fitness trainer she's working with outside of Denver. "I don't know if I'll ever be 100 percent. It hasn't been the best year for me. I played three events and then the U.S. Open. We'll see how it goes from here."

In one of the more entertaining matches of the day, No. 3 seeded Sorana Cirstea of Romania downed former Georgia Tech All-American Irina Falconi, a qualifier, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Sorana has big wins over Wozniacki and other top 10 players and advanced deep into the French Open. Part of the special Adidas team she trains in Las Vegas regularly with Gil Reyes and Darren Cahill.

Also advancing was No. 4-seeded Mirjana Lucic of Croatia, who beat Camila Giorgi of Italy, 6-2, 6-4.

Wednesday's First-Round Singles Scores

q: qualifier; wc: wild card

Alexa Glatch, U.S. (wc), def. Mashona Washington, U.S., 6-3, 6-4

Mirjana Lucic, Croatia (4), def. Camila Giorgi, Italy, 6-2, 6-4

Sorana Cirstea, Romania (3), def. Irina Falconi, U.S. (q), 6-3, 4-6, 6-3

EdinaGallovits, Romania (1), def. Petra Rampre, Slovakia, 7-6 (3), 6-3

Heidi El Tabakh, Canada, def. Madison Brengle, U.S, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3

Kimberly Couts, U.S., def. Brittany Augustine, U.S (q), 6-1, 6-1

Julie Ditty, U.S. (q), def. Ashley Weinhold, U.S. (q), 6-0, 6-3

Valerie Tetreault (Canada) (8), def. Ekaterina Shulaeva, Canada, 6-3, 6-3

Abigail Spears, U.S., def. Laura Siegemund, Germany, 6-1, 6-4

Lindsay Lee-Waters, U.S., def. Shelby Rogers, U.S., 4-6, 6-3, 6-0

AnnaTatishvili, Georgia (6), def. Amra Sadikovic, Switzerland, 6-2, 6-2

Asia Muhammad, U.S. (wc), def. def. Mariana Duque-Marino, Colombia (5), 6-1, 6-7 (2), 6-3

First-Round Doubles Score

Alexandra Mueller, U.S. / Ahsha Rolle, U.S., def. Liga Dekmeijere, Latavia / Varvara Lepchenko, U.S., 6-3, 6-1

Thursday's Order of Play

Stadium Court Starting at 10 a.m.

Chelsey Gullickson, U.S. (wc), vs. Abigail Spears, U.S.

Followed by Sorana Cirstea, Romania (3), vs. Julie Ditty, U.S.

Followed by Heidi Tabakh, Canada, vs. Mirjana Lucic, Croatia (4)

Lauren Albanese, U.S., vs. Asia Muhammad, U.S., NOT BEFORE 4pm

Court 2 Starting at 10 a.m.

Lindsay Lee-Waters, U.S., vs. Varvara Lepchenko, U.S. (2)

Followed by Kimberly Couts, U.S., vs. Valerie Tetreault, Canada (8)

Followed by Christina Fusano, U.S. / Courtney Nagle, U.S. vs. Lindsay Lee-Waters, U.S. / Megan Moulton-Levy, U.S. (4)

Followed by Madison Brengle, U.S. / Amra Sadikovic, Switzerland vs. Irina Falconi, U.S. / Maria Sanchez, U.S. (wc)

Court 3 Starting at 10 a.m.

Anna Tatishvili, Georgia (6), vs. Alexa Glatch, U.S. (wc)

Followed by Edina Gallovits, Romania (1), vs. Alexandra Mueller, U.S. (wc)

Followed by Stephanie Foretz Gacon, France / Alexa Glatch, U.S., vs. Alexandra Mueller, U.S. / Ahsha Rolle, U.S.

The following is a tentative schedule of events supplementing the tournament:

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Thursday Sept. 30 - High School Day, 6-8 p.m. (Free general admission for ages 15-18).

Friday, Oct. 1- Volkl/Becker Racquet Day, 6-8 p.m.

USTA Members Day ($10 off admission for all current USTA members)

Saturday, Oct. 2 - Super Semifinal Saturday; USTA Ladies League Luncheon.

For additional event and ticket information, please visit www.lexuslvopen.com

LAS VEGAS PAST CHAMPIONS

Singles

Year Winner Runner-up

2009 Regina Kulikova (RUS) Aniko Kapros (HUN)

2008 Camille Pin (FRA) Asia Muhammad (U.S.)

2007 Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) Akiko Morigami (JPN)

1999 Erika de Lone (U.S.) Hila Rosen (ISR)

Doubles

Year Winner

2009 Aniko Kapros (HUN) - Agustina Lepore (ARG)

2008 Melinda Czink (HUN) - Renata Voracova (CZE)

2007 Victoria Azarenka (BLR) - Tatiana Poutchek (BLR)

1999 Erika de Lone (U.S.) - Annabel Ellwood (AUS)

PRIZE MONEY

SINGLES: Prize Money Points

Winner $7,315 70

Runner-up $3,990 50

Semifinalist $2,185 32

Quarterfinalist $1,235 18

Round of 16 $760 10

Round of 32 $475 1

DOUBLES: Prize Money (per team)

Winner $2,660

Runner-up $1,425

Semifinalist $760

Quarterfinalist $380

Round of 16 $285

USTA Pro Circuit

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