Harkleroad Falls Short in Qualifying Bid

American Ashley Harkleroad got the service break she wanted late in the third set of her second-round qualifying match at the Acura Classic, but failed to hold serve and went on to lose to Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.

On a warm, sunny day at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Harkleroad and Amanmuradova, stepped on to Stadium Court with a spot in the main draw going to the winner.

Harkleroad jumped out to a 3-1 first-set lead, but lost three consecutive games to fall behind 4-3. Later in the set, the American attempted to stay in the set as she served at 5-6. Amanmuradova however, broke serve at love to put away the first set, 7-5.

In the second set with the score knotted at 4-4, Harkleroad took advantage of two double faults and broke Amanmuradova to take a 5-4 lead.

The American easily held serve in the next game to secure the second set.

Amanmuradova used a service break in the fourth game of the third set to take a 4-1 lead. After holding serve to cut the lead to 4-2, Harkleroad got back into the set as she reached break point when she stroked a forehand down the line winner.

On break point, Harkleroad executed a perfectly placed crosscourt forehand passing shot to get back on serve at 3-4.

With a small partisan crowd cheering her on, Harkleroad served to tie the set, but she opened the game with a double fault and fell behind 0-40. At 15-40, Amanmuradova hit a forehand down the line winner to break serve and take a 5-3 lead.

In the next game, Harkleroad hit a forehand long at 30-30 to give Amanmuradova her first match point of the day. That was all she needed to wrap up the match as Harkleroad netted a backhand volley on the next point.
 

• Amanmuradova had seven aces in the match, which took 2 hour and 15 minutes to complete.

• Amanmuradova is making her Acura Classic debut.
• Amanmuradova is ranked 106 in the world.
• Amanmuradova reached the second round the 2006 Australian Open and 2007 French Open.
• Earlier this month, Amanmuradova reached the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event in Cincinnati as a qualifier.
• In March, 2007 Amanmuradova won a $25,000 ITF women’s event in India.
• Harkleroad is ranked 88 in the world.
• Harkleroad was making her fourth career Acura Classic appearance. She reached the second round here in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
• In January, Harkleroad reached the third round of the Australian Open.
• Harkleroad reached the third round of the 2003 French Open.
• Harkleroad reached her career high ranking of 39 in 2003.

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