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San Diego’s Alexandra Stevenson gave it her best shot, but
came up short in her bid to qualify for the main draw of the 2005
Acura Classic.
Stevenson, who is coming back from a shoulder injury, fell to Japan’s
Saori Obata, 6-2, 6-4 in a final round qualifying match on Stadium
Court at the La Costa Resort and Spa.
Playing in her third WTA Tour event of the year, Stevenson, ranked
945 in the world, hurt her chances in the match by committing 42
unforced errors.
Obata broke Stevenson’s serve three times in winning the
first set in 31 minutes.
In the second set, Stevenson jumped out to a 4-2 lead but could
not maintain the momentum as Obata, a steady left-handed baseliner
from Tokyo, came back to sweep the final four games to win the match.
On the previous day, Stevenson defeated fellow American Lindsey
Lee-Waters, 6-3, 6-3, in her opening round qualifying match. It
was only her second match win of 2005.
· Obata is ranked 165 in the world.
· Obata qualified for this year’s Wimbledon where she
fell to Marissa Irvin of the United States in the first round.
- Obata achieved her career-high ranking of 39 in the world early
last year.
- Obata is making her fourth career Acura Class appearance.
- Stevenson entered the qualifying draw of the 2005 Acura Classic
as a wildcard.
- Stevenson was making her sixth Acura Classic appearance.
- Stevenson reached the third round of the 2001 Acura Classic
as a qualifier.
- Stevenson reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 1999.
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