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Defending Champion Ousted
at HPTC Quarterfinals
When Angie
Haynes won last year's Houston Pro Tennis Classic
it proved to be her springboard up the world rankings.
She entered this year's event with a ranking nearly
good enough to get her into the main draw at the
French Open. Instead, she chose to defend her
title at The Downtown Club at The Met.
Her title
defense ended Friday afternoon. But her three-set
loss wasn't much of an upset. Not according to
the winner, Natallia Dziamidzenka of Belarus.
"She
and I trained together a few years ago in San
Diego," said Dziamidzenka, rated 378 in the
world to Haynes' 147 and the seventh seed in Houston.
"I beat her pretty regularly there, and once
before on the tour, so I had a lot of confidence
here.
"We
became friends then, and it's hard to beat a friend,
but I'm pleased to have won today."
The 20-year-old
Dziamidzenka came to the US four years ago. A
comparative latecomer to the sport at 10, Dziamidzenka
has struggled with injuries and management changes,
but finally likes her chances as a pro.
"Belarus
is struggling economically as a country,"
Dziamidzenka said. "To improve my tennis,
I had to come to the United States. I moved from
San Diego to Virginia last year and hired a new
manager. I feel good about where my professional
career is heading."
Dziamidzena
and the HPTC semifinal field take the court Saturday
at 10 a.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
Sunday's finals also will be played at 10 a.m.
Houston Pro Tennis
Classic Friday results
Singles
quarterfinals
Natallia Dziamidzenka, Belarus def. (1) Angela
Haynes, Compton, Calif. 6-2, 4-6, 6-1;
Varvara Lepchenko, Miami def. Kim-Anh Nguyen,
Orange, Calif. 6-3, 6-4;
(3)Cory Ann Avants, Gastonia, N.C. def. Cindy
Watson, Australia 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-0
(5)Bruna Colosio, Brazil def. Katarina Zoricic,
Canada 6-2, 6-2;
Doubles quarterfinals
Blair Di Sesa, Houston-Julie Thu, Houston def.
Jessica Leitch, Dallas-Lauren Lui, Houston 6-7(8),
7-5, 6-3
Avants-Nguyen def. (1)Melanie Marois, Canada-Diana
Ospina, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 7-6(6), 6-0
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