Harkleroad Scores Thrilling Upset Over Schnyder

On an absolutely beautiful, sunny day at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Ashley Harkleroad stunned 13th seeded Patty Schnyder of Switzerland in a thrilling 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 first-round victory in the Acura Classic on Monday afternoon.

Before a large, vocal crowd on Stadium Court, Schnyder and Harkleroad battled it out for almost two hours before Schnyder served to stay in the match at 5-6 in the third set.

It looked like the match would head into a third-set tiebreaker as Harkleroad pushed a backhand wide and then hit a down the line forehand wide to give Schnyder a 30-love lead.

However Schnyder, who has been ranked as high as eighth in the world, committed four straight forehand errors. An excited Harkleroad celebrated the win after the Swiss player sailed a forehand past the baseline.

Harkleroad, who gained entry into the main draw as a wildcard, advances to a second-round match against fellow American Amy Frazier.

• Time of match: One hour and 45 minutes.
• Harkleroad is ranked 109 in the world.
• Harkleroad is making her second Acura Classic appearance. She reached the second round in 2002 before losing to Jennifer Capriati.
• Harkleroad’s 2004 match record improves to 11-13.
• This was the first meeting between Schnyder and Harkleroad.
• Schnyder’s 2004 career match record drops to 25-16.
• Schnyder is ranked 16 in the world.
• Schnyder was making her second career Acura Classic appearance. She lost in the first round to Amy Frazier in the first round in 1999.
• Schnyder defeated Steffi Graf in the fourth round of the 1998 US Open.

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