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Another fantastic Acura Classic has come to a close and the 2005
tournament won’t be forgotten soon.
This year’s event featured one of the most international
fields in the history of the Acura Classic. Fans attending this
year’s matches had the opportunity to see many new faces and
emerging stars that could have a big impact on women’s professional
tennis in the future.
Two of the stars of the future, India’s Sania Mirza, and
Shuai Peng of China, made their Acura Classic debuts. Fans enjoyed
watching these two young stars play on the hard courts at the La
Costa Resort and Spa.
Mirza, 18, reached the quarterfinals and with more experience could
easily contend for the Acura Classic title next year.
Peng, 19, dazzled fans all week with her brilliant shot making
as she reached the semifinals before falling to eventual champion,
Mary Pierce. She had a great win over former tournament finalist
Kim Clijsters in the quarterfinals.
Coming into the Acura Classic, Peng was ranked 46 in the world,
but watch for her ranking to rise considerably.
Another big story at this year’s Acura Classic was the late
night doubles matches. Fans that stayed for the evening session
doubles matches saw some incredible tennis.
In what has become an Acura Classic tradition, fans were given
the chance to move down into the seats at court side when the last
match of the night went to three sets.
The latest match of the tournament saw Ai Sugiyama and Daniela
Hantuchova defeat Cara Black and Rennae Stubbs, 6-7 (10), 6-4, 6-3
in a semifinal doubles match that ended at 11:53 p.m. on Saturday
night with many fans still in attendance.
Thank you for following the 2005 Acura Classic on Acuraclassic.com.
We’ll see you next year.
Click
here for more match summaries.
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