At The Open With Marcia Frost...

Friday, August 24th-Qualifying Day Four
The professionals and amateurs mixed today, though it might not have been originally planned. The injury of Jamea Jackson forced Ally Baker to take a new partner. Rather than one of her fellow juniors, Ally chose professional Tara Snyder.

The 24 year old had lost a three-set qualifier on the same court just hours before. Ally and Tara faced the No. 4 seeded team of Joanna Cortez/Gisela Riera. They took the seeds to three sets before finally losing 7-5,4-6,6-3.

Just one court away, Sunitha Rao played qualifying doubles with her Alyssa Cohen. Seventeen year old Alyssa, a recent pro, had lost her first round singles match to Alexandra Fusai. The duo played it out in a tight three-sets before succumbing, 7-6(2),5-7,6-4.

In another three-setter, Stanford senior KJ Hippensteel played doubles with last year's USTA Nationals winner Phillip King. Against the No. 7 seeded team of Petr Kovacka/Yuri Schukin, they lost in a late finishing heartbreaker at 6-7(0),3-6,6-4.

There were two other Stanford stars playing today. Paul Goldstein, who was the first player in history to help his team win four straight NCAA Championships, lost his second round match to John van Lottum of the Netherlands, 4-6,7-5,6-4. On the other hand, Mike Bryan, who was also a part of a winning Stanford team (1998) and an NCAA doubles trophy winner, defeated Ivo Karolovic of Croatia, 6-2,7-6(5). If Mike wins today he will join twin brother Bob in the main singles draw.

Until Tomorrow...