FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 2nd, 2008
Contact: Steve Tompkins
(617) 288-9092

EMPIRE/USTA WOMEN’S $50K OFF TO FAST START

As thunderclouds failed to deliver on their empty threats of rainstorms, the players in the Empire/USTA Women’s $50k Pro Challenger tennis tournament made good on their unlimited promise to entertain and, at times, electrify.

In one of the first matches of the day, defending champion Varvara Lepchenko faced a stiff challenge from former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket and 2008 ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Player of the Year Kristie Miller.

Finishing her first set in convincing 6–3 fashion, Lepchenko struggled in the second set when Miller battled back to force a tie–break before ultimately bowing out 7–6(5).

Miller later found herself on the winning end in an all–USA doubles match with partner Sanaz Marand against Jennifer Elie and Kristie Frilling, which ended 6–7(3) 6–3 [10–4]. Lepchenko also prevailed in doubles competition – 7–6(8) 6–2 – with partner Yulia Fedossova of France as they took on Neha Uberoi of the U.S. and Shikha Uberoi of India.

In the featured and much–anticipated evening match, local favorite and Vanderbilt University–bound teen phenom Erica Robertson faced off against the world’s 187th ranked tennis player in Argentina’s Soledad Esperon.

Playing before a supportive hometown crowd in a match that featured bouts of frustration for both contestants, Robertson displayed an improved, but at times erratic, power–serve while Esperon showed a knack for closing out rallies despite a number of error–prone moments.

In the end, it would be Esperon’s experience and polish that would win out over Robertson’s rapidly developing game – 6–3, 6–3.

“I didn’t play very well,” Esperon said of her opening match. “I felt like I made a lot of mistakes and I wasn’t confident in my game. It sometimes happens in the first matches of tournaments, but as I focused and concentrated more, my confidence returned.”

When asked about what she felt her chances of winning the tournament were, that renewed confidence was clearly present.

“You always feel like you can win when you come into any tournament,” said Esperon. “This is why you come, because you plan to win.”

Esperon will compete in doubles on Wednesday afternoon with partner Ye–Ra Lee of Korea against Kai–Chen Chang and I–Hsuan Hwang of Taipei.

Other matches played Tuesday included:

(Singles)
Amanda FINK (USA) defeated Celeste FREY (ARG) 6–1 6–2
Anna WISHINK (AUS) def. Maureen DIAZ (USA) 6–1 6–0
Gail BRODSKY (USA) def. Sloane A STEPHENS (USA) 6–3 3–6 6–2
Lindsay LEE–WATERS (USA) def. Gabriela PAZ (VEN) 6–4 6–2
Melinda CZINK (HUN) def. Kimberly COUTS (USA) 4–6 6–1 6–2
Julie DITTY (USA) def. Yulia FEDOSSOVA (FRA) 6–1 7–6(1)
Sunitha RAO (IND) def. Kristina KUCOVA (SVK) 1–6 6–4 7–6(4)
Romana TEDJAKUSUMA (INA) Ye–Ra LEE (KOR) 6–1 6–2

(Doubles)
Chin–Wei CHAN (TPE) / Natalie GRANDIN (RSA) def. Mary GAMBALE (USA) / Mami INOUE (USA) 6–0 6–1
Mallory CECIL (USA) / Amanda FINK (USA) def. Melinda CZINK (HUN) / Sunitha RAO (IND) 4–6 6–4 [14–12]

Empire Loan
Empire Loan is committed to providing short–term collateralized loans in a safe, friendly, and professional environment. We will endeavor to dispel long held misrepresentations of the pawn broking industry by treating every customer with the utmost respect. Empire Loan will be a shining example of good corporate citizenship by participating in and partnering with community based non-profit organizations. We are dedicated to serving our customers best interests, and to earning their trust and confidence by operating in an ethical and fair manner. Empire Loan is also committed to paying a living wage with full healthcare benefits to our valued employees.

Sportsmen’s Tennis Club
Sportsmen’s Tennis Club is a 501(c) 3, non–profit corporation organized in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Founded over forty years ago with a mission of providing low–cost tennis to urban youth, Sportsmen's has distinguished itself as a unique, community–based organization providing a nurturing and supportive environment for children of all races. Sportsmen’s is recognized nationally as a pioneer in using the sport of tennis to enhance the lives of urban youth.

Sportsmen’s is successful because of its inter–disciplinary nature and the unifying methodology that is consistently applied across all program components – academic, athletic, health and social. Today Sportsmen’s remains committed to providing low cost tennis training and academic support for minority youth who would not otherwise have an opportunity to participate or excel in the sport.

USTA Pro Circuit
With 96 tournaments throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour–level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. More than 1,100 men and women from 79 countries competed on the USTA Pro Circuit in 2004 for nearly $3 million in prize money and valuable ATP and WTA Tour ranking points. Jelena Jankovic, Anastasia Myskina, Maria Sharapova, and Nicole Vaidisova are among the top stars that began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit. For more information, log on to http://procircuit.usta.com.