Craybas Advances to Final Qualifying Round

Third-seeded Jill Craybas avoided an upset on the opening day of the 2004 Acura Classic as she defeated fellow American Lindsey Nelson, 6-1, 5-7, 6-0 in a first-round qualifying match on Stadium Court at the La Costa Resort and Spa.

Craybas got off to a quick start as she broke Nelson at love in the second game of the match. She went on to win the first set 6-1 in 30 minutes.

In the second set, Nelson found the range on her baseline game and jumped out to a 4-1 lead. Craybas rallied to win four straight games and served for the match at 5-4.

However, Nelson broke serve to stay in the match and eventually won the second set 7-5.

Craybas took advantage of a tiring Nelson as she ran through the third set 6-0 in 18 minutes.

“It was a lot of fun. I would say I have the strokes and the game, I just need to get in better shape,” Nelson said. “I was so tired in the third set after winning the second. It gives me some inspiration to get in a lot better shape.”

• Craybas advances to the final round of qualifying where she will face Martina Sucha of Slovakia.
• Craybas is ranked 61 in the world.
  Craybas turned pro in June 1996.
• Earlier this month, Craybas represented the United States in Fed Cup play against Austria. She teamed with Martina Navratilova in the doubles match.
• Nelson, an amateur, will play college tennis for the University of Southern California later this year as a freshman.
• Nelson is ranked 1029 in the world. She earned a wild card into the qualifying draw by winning the Acura Classic Opportunity event in San Clemente and a special playoff in Tijuana.
• This was the second consecutive year Nelson entered the qualifying draw as a wildcard, which she earned by winning an Acura Classic Opportunity Tournament.
  

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