Vakulenko Eliminates Osterloh in Qualifying Competition

Julia Vakulenko of the Ukraine is ranked 161 in the world, but that isn’t stopping her from thinking she can qualify for the main draw of the 2005 Acura Classic.

On Saturday morning she won her first qualifying match on Stadium Court as she eliminated American Lilia Osterloh, 6-3, 6-1 in 51 minutes.

Vakulenko, who reached the second round at Wimbledon this year as a qualifier, said, “I just tried to be solid and concentrate more.”

According to Vakulenko the key to the victory was her ability to change the rhythm of her game.  During the match, she hit winners past Osterloh, but also took the pace off the ball to draw errors.

“I really like it here,” Vakulenko said. “I enjoy playing here. I really like the volunteers and people here. I’m happy as long as I keep winning.

Vakulenko was able to convert on all five of her break point chances.

• Vakulenko will face Italy’s Tathiana Garbin in a second round qualifying match. The winner will advance to the main draw.
• Vakulenko is making her second Acura Classic appearance. She lost in the first round of qualifying in 2003.
• Vakulenko lives in Barcelona, Spain.
• Osterloh is ranked 122 in the world.
• Osterloh was making her sixth career Acura Classic appearance.
• Osterloh reached the second round of last year’s Acura Classic as a qualifier.

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