Karatantcheva follows Bovina out the door

After defeating Elena Bovina in the third round of qualifying for the Tennis Channel Open, Sesil Karatantcheva was defeated today in the first round by wild card Madison Brengle, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2. An examination of the match statistics, however, makes me wonder how Brengle could have won.

Bovina out in 3rd qualifying round in Las Vegas

Yesterday, I wrote about both Elena Bovina and Sesil Karatantcheva, who--for different reasons--are trying to re-establish themselves on the tour. Today, they played each other in the third round of qualifying for the Tennis Channel Open, an ITF event, in Las Vegas. Karatantcheva defeated Bovina, 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.

It makes me sad to report the cheery news that Bovina goes to the 3nd round of qualifying in Las Vegas

Former world number 14 Elena Bovina, whose 2005 right shoulder injury has kept her more or less out of competition for a couple of years, won her second qualifying round today in the Tennis Channel Open, an ITF women's event. Bovina, a talented and delightful Russian player, played two events in 2006. In 2007, she was plagued with Morton's neuroma, and had to withdraw from several tournaments because of continuing injuries to her right foot. She is now ranked number 333 in the world. It makes me sad that it is a big deal that she is into the second round of an ITF contest, but at least she is playing.

In other comeback news, Sesil Karatantcheva also won her second qualifying round in Las Vegas, defeating Amber Liu. Next, she plays Bovina.

Bovina def. Lu Jingjing, 6-3, 6-4

Karatantcheva def. Liu, 6-3, 6-3