Kaufman Falls Short Against Skavronskaia

San Diegan Biffy Kaufman gave it a good shot, but fell short in her first-round qualifying match at the 2006 Acura Classic as she lost to Lioudmila Skavronskaia, 6-2, 6-2 on the Grandstand.

Kaufman was granted a wildcard into the qualifying draw after she lost in the semifinals of the Acura Classic Opportunity Tournament in San Diego. She could have accepted a default as her opponent arrived, but she chose to play and lost a tough three-set match.

In her opening match at the La Costa Resort and Spa, she ran into Skavronskaia, a tall, hard-hitting Russian who converted on five of seven break point opportunities.

Kaufman served at 2-3 in the first set but lost serve to make the score 4-2 in Skavronskaia’s favor. Play was then stopped for several minutes due to a heavy mist which made the lines on the court slippery.

When play continued, Skavronskaia reeled off seven consecutive games to win the first set and take a 5-0 lead in the second.

Kaufman got on the scoreboard in the second set when she held serve. In the following game, she set up a break point as she chased down Skavronskaia’s angle volley. On break point, the Russian sailed a forehand past the baseline.

Serving to stay in the match at 5-2, Kaufman hit a backhand volley into the net at 30-30 to give Skavronskaia a match point. The match ended on the next point when Kaufman hit a crosscourt forehand long. 

“I always like to come and play here,” Skavronskaia said after her victory. “It’s the best tournament. It’s really nice.”

Skavronskaia will always consider the Acura Classic her favorite as this was the first WTA Tour event she played in 1998 following her collegiate career at the University of Miami.

“I’m really happy,” she said. “This week I’m hoping to qualify and play some good tennis.”

• Skavronskaia is ranked 135 in the world.
• In Sunday’s second round of qualifying, Skavronskaia will play the winner of the Hilary Barte / Vasilisa Bardina match.
• Skavronskaia is a former winner of the Acura Classic Opportunity Tournament in San Diego.
• Skavronskaia is playing in her fourth career Acura Classic. She has lost in qualifying on three previous occasions.
• Kaufman is ranked 640 in the world.
• Kaufman won the 2005 Acura Classic Opportunity Tournament in San Diego.

Click Here for more Match Summaries.