Irvin Outlasts Skavronskaia in Opening Qualifying Match

It took two-hours and 37 minutes, but Santa Monica’s Marissa Irvin defeated Lioudmila Skavronskaia of Russia, 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4 in a first-round Acura Classic qualifying match at the La Costa Resort and Spa.

Irvin will play the winner of the Tamarine Tanasugarn / Anne Kremer match in final qualifying round on Sunday.

The tightly contested match featured many long rallies as well as a 16-point game that went to deuce four times.

After splitting the first two sets, Irvin and Skavronskaia picked up the pace of their shots in what became a hard-hitting baseline duel on Stadium Court.

The American would score the critical service break in the third set to take a 4-3 lead and would go on to serve for the match at 5-4.

Irvin fell behind 0-30, but Skavronskaia hit a backhand lob long and then sailed a forehand past the baseline to make the score 30-30.

A hard first serve from Irvin jammed the Russian who returned a forehand wide. On her first match point, Irvin slammed a crosscourt forehand winner to seal the victory.

• Irvin is ranked 85 in the world.
• Irvin has reached the third round at Roland Garros the past two years.
• In August 2002, Irvin posted her career high ranking of 51 in the world.
• Irvine reached the second round of the 2002 Acura Classic.
• Irvin qualified for the 2003 Acura Classic main draw with wins over Jill Craybas and Mashona Washington. She lost in the first round to Marion Bartoli of France.
• Skavronskaia is ranked 124 in the world.
• In 2002 Skavronskaia won the Acura Classic Opportunity Tournament at the San Diego Tennis & Racquet Club. She earned a qualifying wildcard where she lost in the first round.
• Skavronskaia qualified for the WTA tournament in Stanford earlier this month. She advanced to the second round of the main draw before losing to the eventual winner, Lindsay Davenport.
  

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