Pacific Life Open Pre-Qualifier: Race for the Prize : Tags : a.j._bartlett

Levar Harper-Griffith d. A.J. Bartlett, 7-6 (5), 6-2

Sesil Karatantcheva d. McCall Jones, 6-0, 6-3

Nelly Radeva d. Raquel Kops-Jones, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4

Roman Borvanov d. Travis Kinard, 6-1, 6-0

http://www.active.com/Assets/Tennis/borvanov_190x270.jpg

As sound checks went on in the background and last-minute preparations were carried out across the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, stadiums two and three offered dramatic showdowns in the fight for a wild card into the qualifying draws of the Pacific Life Open.

Only in the case of Levar Harper-Griffith was a Challenger-Round finalist not ousted from the competition in today's pre-qualifying semifinal. While some very passionate tennis was on display, it made a good example of the difference between a junior national champion and a mid-ranked ATP pro.

Four finalists from last month's Challenger Round advanced to today's pre-qualifier where they faced ATP and WTA players just shy of the the cut-off for next week's qualifying draws.

Probably the most remarkable display of a difference in playing ability was the match between Travis Kinard and Roman Borvanov. Kinard managed only one game in a match that took less than an hour to complete. A freshman at Cal-Berkeley and former three-time letter winner at San Marino High School, Kinard played a strong baseline game with good variation at the net. It proved to be not enough against Borvanov's near-perfect game and blazing serves.

http://www.active.com/Assets/Tennis/karatantcheva_190x270.jpg

Following a two-year suspension for twice testing positive for the steroid nandrolone, 19-year-old Sesil Karatantcheva makes a return to the same site as her professional debut. At 14, Karatantcheva advanced to the third round of the Pacific Life Open, eventually losing to Maria Sharapova.

Today, Karatantcheva made easy work of blue-chip senior McCall Jones from Coto De Caza, California. Despite Jones' excellent form and powerhouse returns, Karatantcheva took the first set without a loss and giving up three games in the second set.

The Pre-Qualifying final kicks off Sunday at noon when Levar Harper-Griffith faces Roman Borvanov. Sesil Karatancheva will compete against Nelly Radeva. The two finalists will advance to the qualifying rounds beginning on Monday.

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The city of Indian Wells is a quiet town right now; plenty of hotel rooms; front-row parking; no restaurant reservations needed.

All this will change come Monday when the qualifying rounds of the 2008 Pacific Life Open begin at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. As organizers scramble to create next week's draws, vendors set up their booths and last-minute preparations are being made to the grounds, there's a competition about to begin on the outer courts.

Two male and two female finalists from last month's Challenger Round are warming up for the semifinal of the Pre-Qualifier. This is a unique opportunity for one male and one female winner to receive wild cards into Monday's qualifiers.

Here's how it works: last month 64 men and 64 women took part in the Challenger Round, four finalists from which (two men, two women) are here today to face two ATP and two WTA pros who just missed the cut-off for entry into the qualifying draws. The line up:

Stadium #2: Levar Harper-Griffith (USA) vs. A.J. Bartlett (USA)
McCall Jones (USA) vs. Sesil Karatantcheva (BUL)

Stadium #3: Raquel Kops-Jones (USA) vs. Nelly Radeva (USA)
Travis Kinard (USA) vs. Roman Borvanov (USA)

This is a chance for local stars and up-and-coming players to test their mettle against the pros. It's a storybook opportunity. But first these young hopefuls have to prove they're ready for the big time.

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