Year End Rankings
| Pro Singles 113 | Pro Doubles 134 |
Current News
2002 in Review
The year got off to a slow start for Ashley but as Spring faded and Summer begin to dawn Ashley started to warm up.
She had a horrible winter and spring. Ashley went out in the first or second round of six straight tournaments, failing to qualify at one. This also included Dothan where she went out in the first round. She is a fan favorite at Dothan and a lot of fans were disappointed. At Rockford she failed to qualify but got back in on a lucky loser only to lose in the first round to Rippner who, has been inconsistent since her injuries. Then in the next tournament she failed qualify altogether losing to Hoogland, but she did avenge that loss later in the year in Dothan.
Ashley then went out in the second round in Columbus and Minneapolis. She went out in the first round of the NASDAQ in Miami where she was a horrible 5 of 17 on break points. Next was Dothan where she blew through qualifying relatively easily, but lost to Sarah Taylor in the first round in a match in which one felt like she was controlling the points but just wasn’t getting the bounces to go her way.
Then early summer arrived at Sea Island, Georgia. It was only a $25K tournament, but there were some big names at this level in the draw. Ashley beat four good players, that are usually expected in the semi-finals of most tournaments, on her way to her first final since Dothan 2001. Ashley gave away the first set to Melinda Czink but then broke Czink’s serve in the twelfth game of the second set to take the set. They played even to 3 – 3 in the third until Czink finally pulled it out. However, Ashley was with her new coach, Jose Louis Clerc for their first match together and you could already see signs of good things to come and they weren’t too far away either.
Ashley then lost in Charlottesville,Va in a tough second round loss to Jankovic that was a back and forth affair where she won 9 of 10 games to win the second set and got off to a hot start in the third but then lost 5 of 6 games to lose the match.
Ashley was then off to Europe where she would really begin to heat up. She played the Astrid Bowl in Belgium where she won her first two matches very easily before losing in the quarters. Then it was on to the French Open juniors where she went all the way to the final defeating the 5th, 4th and 2nd seeds before finally losing the final to Angelique Widjaja in 3 sets where she had break points against Widjaja in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Widjaja held on and then went on to win it 6-3. However Ashley’s performance was just a hint at things to come. Widjaja, by the way, is not just another junior. She is a little farther ahead in her professional career at this point than Ashley was at the time, but Ashley had a chance to win and Widjaja is defeating some big names on the WTA circuit.
Next, Ashley was in Los Gatos, California where she would start a run of fourteen of fifteen match wins, losing only to Jennifer Capriati. Ashley played the State Farm Classic in Los Gatos, winning the tournament without dropping a set. Only Mashone Washington even seemed to present a challenge during the tournament. Ashley then played the Acura Classic, a Tier II tournament, where she won her first round match against 39th ranked Rita Grande in straight sets. Then came Capriati. This match was good experience for Ashley despite the score. Ashley was up 3-1 in the second set on Jennifer before Jennifer finally pulled away. The experience of playing a player at that level no doubt is beneficial for Ashley.
The Bronx classic was next. Ashley had to qualify for this tournament beating three players that were probably better than most that she faced in the main draw. Ashley did drop three sets in this tournament but they weren’t without a fight. The final actually was a little anti-climactic as she won easily 6-1 and 6-3 over Lubomira Kurhajcova.
Next was the US Open and Ashley drew Iva Majoli in the first round. Well if you’re a fan of Ashley Harkleroad, you knew this wasn’t good. Ashley needed a better draw so she could go a round or two and get some experience. Mojoli was going to prevent that and you knew it when you saw the draw. Ashley needs a bit more time and experience before taking on the likes of Majoli or anyone else in the top 20 at this point. Ashley did show some good play, running down balls and at least making Majoli make the extra shot on numerous occasions.
Next was the Big Island Championships, a WTA tournament, where Ashley won her first round match 6-4, 7-5 against Jennifer Hopkins. Ashley trailed in the second set 1-3 before storming back for the win. Ashley then gave a much more experienced Lisa Raymond all she could handle losing in a tie-break in the second set where Raymond had to win more than the standard seven points to take the match.
The came Columbus, OH again and the tournament sponsored by Tim Hortons. Columbus was a tough draw. Ashley had to beat Krivencheva, Washington and Dulko to get to Tiffany Dabek in the semi-finals. Anyone that follows tennis at this level knew that would be a free pass to the finals for Ashley. Dabek has a nice game but will never be a match for Ashley. However Lee-Waters was waiting in the final. Whenever there is a Harkleroad v Lee-Waters match you want to watch. Matches between these two is like a heavy weight title fight and no point is easy. Ashley won the first set 6-1 then lost the second set 1-6 before the decisive third set tie-break unfolded. Ashley had already defeated Lee-Waters in three sets earlier in the year in Sea Island. The third set was a test of wills as Lee-Waters did finally did prevail 11-9 in the tiebreaker.
Next was Pittsburg and as soon as you looked at the draw you saw a Harkleroad v Sharapova finally in the mix. Sure enough that’s what happened. Sharapova is going to be a superstar in tennis and Ashley has a good chance at achieving the same level of play. The final of this tournament may have been a window to the future of women’s tennis in the next few years. Sharapova did prevail 6-7(3) 6-4 4-6 but that was still an encouraging sign for Harkleroad fans. Sharapova has the power to challenge the Williams sisters and Ashley had a chance to pull out a win.
Eugene, OR was next and Ashley lost to Washington, after defeating her twice earlier in the year, in the quarter finals. Eugene was a good news / bad news story. Before playing Washington, Ashley was down on herself against Samantha Reeves and almost quit in the middle of the match but pulled herself together and ended up winning the match going away. That is the good news. The bad news is, that feeling may have lingered the next day and affected her play just enough against Washington that she was unable to come up with a third win against her. The one thing players have to do to get to the next level is to get their head where it needs to be. This tournament may have been one more step for Ashley in that direction.
Probably the one thing holding Ashley up from the top 50 is her mental game. As she turns 18 next year and gets to play some WTA tournaments and winning some matches there she should be able to improve the mental part of her game.
Overall the year was a good one for Ashley. She is just outside the top 100 now and went to five final rounds, winning two.
2003 should be another year of improvement and then look for 2004 to be Ashley’s break out year, much like it was for Hantuchova in 2002. Comparing Ashley’s progress to Daniella, Ashley is right on schedule.
November 17, 2002
Well despite the bold predictions of www.harkleroad.sport Ashley couldn't quite pull out the tournament. Mashone Washington finally got a win against Ashley. That was a bit of a surprise on the surface but Ashley didn't play well at times the previous day against Samantha Reeves and even had words with Reeves at one point during the match.
Looking at how the rest of the draw played out it did go as www.harkleroad.sport expected. Ashley would have faced Marissa Irvin for a third time and ultimately Koulikovaskaya who is playing better as of late. The top half of the draw clearly was weak and it was difficult to predict who would come out of the top half. The bottom half of the draw with all the real talent went almost as expected with Irvin in the semi-final where Ashley could have and probably should have been.
After going to the semi-finals in Pittsburgh and playing some big hitters, plus the flight and a little jet-lag may have finally taken it's toll in the match against Washington. Ashley did play six matches in eleven days which may not seem like a lot at first, until you realize that to win a Grand Slam you only have to play seven matches in 13 days. Ashley may have been a little fatiqued. Ashley will only move up to about 114 next week. The points she gained won't get her past those just ahead of her and she has now reached a level in the points where she will need to win a couple of $75K's and go some rounds in Tier V and Tier IV tournaments next year to continue her progress.
You can see a couple of articles from Oregon with a few more details on the Archives page.
November 15, 2002
Ashley got off to a slow start against Reeves losing the first set 2-6. The second set then went to a tiebreak where Ashley dominated to win the tiebreak 7-2. The third set was all Harkleroad as she broke Reeves serve three straight times to win the set 6-0. Ashley will face Mashone Washington next. Ashley is 2-0 against Washington. The last time they played it was all Harkleroad as Ashley defeated Washington 6-1, 6-3 in Columbus, Ohio late in the Summer. Ashley's opponent after Washington will be either Milagros Sequera or Marissa Irvin. Ashley is a combined 3-0 against the two potential semi-finalist.
November 14, 2002
Teryn Ashley was no match for Ashley Harkleroad. Ashley beat Teryn 6-0, 6-1 in a match Ashley clearly dominated. These two played once before earlier at Sea Island, Georgia and Ashley won the first set there 6-1 before Teryn pushed her to a tiebreak in the second set. Overall Ashley has only dropped 8 games in two matches against Teryn.
The two then teamed up to play doubles where they lost a three set match to the #2 seeds Maria Vento-Kabchi and Gisela Dulko in three sets. That is no matter really because Brie Rippner and Marissa Irvin should "blast" there way through this draw pretty easily. Rippner and Irvin did have to use three sets to get by the number 4 seeds but the score tends to indicate it took a set for them to get familiar with each other.
November 12, 2002
Looking at the draw you have to like Ashley's chances at taking this tournament. Ashley plays Teryn Ashley in the first round and although Teryn has enough skill to beat Ashley I don't think she will. (Ashley is also playing doubles with Teryn so the box score will once again be listed as Ashley Harkleroad in doubles. Don't you just love it?)
The next round is going to produce an interesting match no matter who shows. It could be Reeves or Rippner. Ashley lost to Rippner early in the year in 3 sets and as much as it would be fun to see Ashley get some revenge, playing Reeves would be much more interesting. There is no doubt Ashley can beat Samantha, but that is the match this webmaster wants to see, mainly due to "Dan the Racquet Man." Dan is an Atlanta area Tennis vendor and he strings racquets around the country for the USTA tour. Dan strings racquets for the tournament in Dothan, Alabama every year and made some bold predictions about Reeves there earlier this year. It would be fun for this webmaster to see Ashley beat Dan's pick to win the $75K in Dothan earlier this year. That being said, Rippner is the only player in the draw that can beat Ashley. Not that Ashley can't lose but Rippner's game is the game that should worry a Harkleroad fan.
After the round of 16 it looks like smooth sailing. There are plenty of tough players left and Ashley has had some tough 3 set matches with Sequera, Irvin and Vento-Kabchi all in the bottom half of the draw. Ashley could face two of the three. Then you have those that she hasn't yet played professionally. Tanner Cochran and Gisela Dulko whom she has teamed up with to win doubles titles in juniors and professionally, lurk in the bottom half of the draw. Dulko doesn't seem to be much of a threat right now. She had a great first half of the year but has faded of late. Cochran is working on serve and volley tennis. Tanner Cochran may be the diamond in the rough. It takes a little longer to develop a serve and volley game, however if she does, look out.
Ashley is clearly in the toughest half of the draw. If she makes the final there is no one in the top half that can beat her and that includes Jidkova who holds a 1-0 head to head lead against Ashley. (Dubbers may send her packing in the first round.) Whomever comes out of the bottom half of this draw is this webmasters pick to win.
The final analysis is that there are some tough matches out there most definitely but you have to really like Ashley's chances to take this tournament. After going to the semi's in the toughest ITF draw of the year last week and then losing a very tough 3 set match to Sharapova, you know Ashley is on her game right now. If she stays on her game she should win this tournament.
November 9, 2002
Good news and bad news today. Ashley lost in 3 tough sets to Maria Sharapova but the score indicated a gargantuan showdown between the two. Maria Sharapova and Ashley Harkleroad are the future. If your a fan of Ashley's this match with Sharapova was big indicator in Ashley's progress. It's clear Ashley can play with the big hitters. That is the one thing you had to wonder about in Ashley's progress. Ashley doesn't hit as hard or as fast as some but that doesn't mean she can't take on the big hitters and defeat them.
The match with Sharapova went three tight sets. Sharapova winning the first in a tiebreak. The second set went to Ashley at 6-4. Sharapova got a late break in the third set to pull out the match with a 6-4 third set win. Although Ashley didn't win this time she proved she can play with the big hitters. When you look at the draw of this tournament getting to the semi-finals also was another step in Ashley's progress.
Ashley should move up to about 115 after this week. She may move up a little higher depending on who was defending points this week. Next week Ashley will be in Oregon for another tournament where a win could finally put her inside the top 100. The top 100 is a key milestone because that can get you into the Grand Slams and the 128 draw tier I tournaments without going through qualifying.
November 8, 2002
The showdown is here. For those that follow Ashley as well as the up and coming new players, Saturdays match is one you have been waiting to see. Ashley faces teen sensation Maria Sharapova. Sharapova is a fifteen year old future "SuperStar." There isn't any question about it. Sharapova is a big hitter. She reminds many of Daniella Hantuchova. She is tall, taller than Hantuchova and is slim like Daniella. She also hits with big power.
Power is the one thing that worries Ashley's fans. She needs more of it and can she handle the big hitters? Well on Friday Ashley beat Marissa Irvin for the second time in as many attempts, in straight sets 6-2, 7-5. Only the Williams sisters serve faster and harder than Marissa. Ashley has also said she likes pace. Ashley played a tough match in Dothan this year against Sarah Taylor, Taylor is one of the big hitters on the ITF tour. Ashley lost that match but she handled the pace quite nicely. Now the question is; can she handle Sharapova? This is the match of the event and for those who follow the ITF is the match you would have liked to seen in the finals.
Can Ashley handle Maria? Ashley should and probably will win this match up. She just had a good warm up with Marissa, she likes pace and she can cover the court. Sharapova will cover the court better than Irvin did and it may take Ashley a set to adjust but Ashley should win. This match is clearly however another measuring stick for Ashley's progression to her goal of the top 5.
Earlier in the week Ashley defeated Lilia Osterloh in three sets to reach the quarters against Irvin. The winner of the Harkleroad v Sharapova match should win the title. The number two seed is left in the bottom half in Alina Jidkova but there is no reason either one shouldn't beat Alina if she gets by Maria-Elena Camerin. (Ashley has never played Sharapova as a professional.)
November 5, 2002 Late Edition
Ashley defeated Nina Dubbers in the first round of the PNC Classic in Pittsburgh today. Ashley won 6-2, 6-4. This really wasn't unexpected at all. Dubbers has some power but struggles covering the court at times. Ashley can cover the court and places the ball well.
Also as projected below Sharapova won along with Brie Rippner. The bottom half of the draw was ripped to shreds today. There were a couple of opponents that may have been trouble for Ashley should she reach the final. Tara Snyder and Lindsay Lee-Waters being of the most concern. Both lost today. Rippner and Jidkova are both still in the bottom half and both are undefeated against Ashley. Ashley is better than Alina Jidkova and lost to her early this year when Ashley wasn't playing well. Rippner can rip the ball but hasn't played well of late. She did defeat Samantha Reeves today but really Reeves is no match for Rippner's power.
I may be getting ahead. Ashley still has the tougher half of the draw to work through but she is off to a good start.
November 5, 2002
Ashley is currently playing the PNC International Tennis Classic in Pittsburgh, PA. Ashley is in the main draw and it is a loaded draw. The number 41 player in the world, Amy Frazier, is playing the tournament as well as four other players inside the top 100. There are also several players just outside the top 100 playing which includes Ashley. The qualifying draw has some recognizable talent as well. Ally Baker, Tanner Cochran and phenom Maria Sharapova.
Ashley's draw looks pretty good through the first couple of rounds. Ashley has Nina Dubbers in round one. Dubbers is a pretty big hitter but Ashley should handle her. The next likely opponent Milagros Sequera. Ashley defeated Sequera in a hard fought three setter in their only meeting. Sequera is a human backboard as Samantha Reeves put it early this year. It won't be an easy match for Ashley but she should get through. The next round could be very interesting. Marissa Irvin is likely to show but Teryn Ashley or the qualifier in that portion of the draw (if it's Maria Sharapova) may be there. Ashley has defeated Ashley and Irvin. Whomever is there will be a test for the next round. The Semi's are likely to produce Amy Frazier or Mashone Washington. Washington wouldn't be a problem for Ashley, Amy Frazier may be another problem. Frazier is someone Ashley needs to be to further improve her confidence. The final, I'm betting Lee-Waters shows. If you look at the draw it could play right into Lee-Waters hands. She has Jidkova in the first round but the way Lee-Waters has played as of late she can come through the draw. The other scenario's could present Samantha Reeves, possibly Brie Rippner or even Jidkova and depending on the draw even Sharapova.
Ashley definitely has the tougher half of he draw but it's a draw she can win I believe. She'll have to be on her game in every match but this exactly the kind of draw Ashley needs to improve her game and more importantly her confidence. Ashley is playing doubles with Jidkova at this tournament too. They may go a round or two but don't look for them to win it. Too many power teams in the draw. Alina and Ashley will have to finesse their way to a win if they are to win it.
Follow the news on the USTA site. USTA PNC news
October 20, 2002
Ashley had another good week in rankings points. She jumped 18 spots to number 121. She also had a good week in doubles points jumping 20 spots to 134. The Australian Open us just around the corner and Ashley needs a few more points so that she doesn't have to qualify for the open.
Actually a player usually has to be pretty close to the top 100 or just outside the top 100 to make a Grand Slam without qualifying. Right now Ashley is about 81 points outside the top 100 and 57 points from the top 105 which is about where she would need to be to get in.
Ashley is scheduled according to the USTA to be in Pittsburg the week of November 4th. That is a $50K tournament and carries 45 points for a win plus the opponent rankings. There is also another $50K in Oregon left on the schedule and a $75K in Boynton Beach Florida for the 1st week of December. If I have it calculated correctly Ashley can only play one more tournament this year (don't quote me on that.) I would expect Ashley to show up in Boynton Beach if that is true. The tournament in Pittsburg is loaded with talent.
There are a lot of quality points available to the winner. Amy Frazier is even in the draw as of this writing, along with Marissa Irvin to name only a couple.
October 16, 2002
Well there isn't good news for Harkleroad fans today. Rita Grande (ITA) defeated Ashley in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 at the VUB Open in Slovakia. Ashley defeated Grande in straight sets, the first time they played each other, earlier this year at the Acura Classic. It is a little surprising, that Ashley then lost in straight sets today. Ashley did gain some points this week however and should move up to about 125 in the rankings (depending on what a couple of others ahead of her do in tournaments they are playing.)
October 15, 2002
Ashley routs Weingartner to set up a rematch with Rita Grande. Ashley routed Weingartner 6-0, 6-0 in her first professional "love" victory. Ashley will play Grande in the second round. Ashley defeated Grande earlier this year at the Acura Classic in straight sets 6-1, 7-6(4) before bowing out to Jennifer Capriati.
Ashley hasn't dropped a set in 3 qualifying rounds and now hasn't dropped a game in the main draw. A bit of a bold statement sure, but appropriate none the less. Expect to see Ashley in the semi-finals at this point, she is playing very well right now. Ashley is virtually assured of breaking inside 130 in the rankings and if she beats Grande she'll break the 120 barrier for the first time.
October 14, 2002
Ashley has qualified for the first time in her first attempt on the WTA tour. She has played other tour events but has been granted wildcards to those events. Ashley will play Marlene Weingartner in the first round. Weingartner is currently ranked #99. Ashley should be able to play with Weingartner if not beat her. The next round Ashley would possibly face Rita Grande, currently #39 in the rankings. Ashley defeated Grande earlier this year at the Acura Classic in straight sets.
When you look at the draw the third round would present someone ranked anywhere from 62 to 90. Ashley has the game and there really isn't a reason Ashley couldn't get to the semi-finals where her likely opponent would be Megan Shaughnessy. Playing three qualifying rounds then playing quality opponents at this level could take their toll on Ashley. Don't be surprised however to see Ashley in the semi-final.
October 13, 2002
Ashley is back on tour this week. Ashley is playing qualifying at the VUB Open in Bratislova, Slovakia. She has already won her first round match against Kristie Boogert (NED) 6-1, 6-1. Ashley will next face the eighth seeded qualifier Maria Emilia (ARG) in the second round of qualifying.
The qualifying draw looks favorable for Ashley. Salerni should be formidable opponent, after that however Ashley should be able find her way into the main draw. The rest of the draw doesn't look difficult for Ashley and the level of play she has shown lately. The one potential pitfall could be Katarina Kachlikova who has already defeated Virginie Razzano (FRA) and is playing in her home country.
The VUB open in a $110,000 tournament, a tier V tournament on the WTA tour. Potential points for a win is 80 plus the quality opponent points. If Ashley qualifies she will earn as few as 6.5 points and up to 8.5 points. To win the tournament Ashley could amass over 100 points potentially. Ashley could move inside the 110 barrier with a win (depending on the outcomes of others playing this week also.) Certainly if she could win it would be a huge confidence boost and a move inside the top 120 with the top 100 not to far away.
September 23, 2002
After losing the previous two matches against Ashley, Lindsay Lee-Waters exacts some revenge and ends Ashley's ITF match winning streak at 17. Lee-Waters also prevented what would have been a third straight ITF title in as many attempts. It was a hard fought, back and forth match. After winning the first set 6-1, Ashley then lost the second set 1-6. The third set then went to a tiebreak where Lee Waters finally prevailed 11-9 in the tiebreaker.
The Good news continues however. Ashley has jumped all the way to 129 in the rankings. She has also moved up to 140 in the doubles rankings. Ashley was also in the doubles final at the Tim Hortons World Tennis Cup of Columbus, Ohio. Ashley teamed up with Teryn Ashley to reach the final but the team lost in a walkover due to an injury. Ashley had a thigh injury. The injury is minor but it did tighten during her match with Lee-Waters and forced her out of the doubles final. Ashley did say the injury slowed her down in the third and final set. (In a little bit of a humorous note with this doubles team, if you look at the draw sheet, it lists Ashley Harkleroad as the team and makes it appear as if the real Ashley Harkleroad is playing doubles by herself.)
Ashley improves her professional record this year to 31-14. Ashley, however, is 18-4 since losing to Widjaja in the French Open Junior final where she also had a great run. Ashley had a great summer overall, look for her to continue and have a good autumn as well.
9/22/02
Ashley continues her summer domination of the ITF circuit. Ashley has reached her third straight ITF final round. That guarantee's her about 135 in the rankings and could put her as high as 125. She is scheduled to play another $75K in Fresno, CA in a couple of weeks and a win would just about guarantee her enough points to get into the Australian open without being required to qualify. She is also eligible to play one other tournament yet this year.
So far at Tim Hortons World Tennis Cup of Columbus, OH, Ashley has not lost a set. Only Gisela Dulko of Argentina, was able to push Ashley at all in any set. Gisela apparently had a touch of the flu sometime during the week and may have been a little easier to beat in this particular match but Ashley likely would have won anyway the way she is playing this week. Gisela and Ashley have played doubles together on several occasions, winning Wimbledon Juniors together in 2001.
9/16/02
Ashley moved up 17 spots in singles this past week. She is now 152 and still on the rise. According to the USTA site Ashley is playing in Columbus, Ohio this week. It appears she will be playing at least 3 more tournaments to finish out the year. She has very few points to defend the rest of this year and has very few points to defend all the way until May of 2003. If she continues to play as she has of late, the top 100 isn't far away.
9/12/02
"Second-seeded Lisa Raymond beat Ashley Harkleroad 6-3, 7-6 (7) on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Big Island Championships."
9/11/02
Ashley defeated Jennifer Hopkins 6-4, 7-5 at the Big Island Championships in Hawaii. Ashley will face Lisa Raymond next. Raymond is the number two seed and tournament favorite after Anne Kremer was defeated in the first round. Ashley broke Hopkins at 4-4 in the first set and went on to serve out the set. In the second set Hopkins got out to an early 3-1 lead before Ashley evened the match at 5-5. Ashley then won the last two games of the set winning the match. See the article on the tournament website at http://www.tesports.com/wta/news.html#harkleroad
9/10/02
Ashley is currently playing the Big Island Championships in Hawaii. Ashley will face Jennifer Hopkins today in the first round.
9/09/02
Fans of Ashley Harkleroad came away a little disappointed at the 2002 US Open. Ashley received a tough draw and had to face Iva Majoli in the first round. Majoli's experience and talent were just to much for Ashley at this stage of her career. Ashley has talent too, just how far it can take her only time will tell. The consensus is that Ashley will need to develop a "weapon" of her own to reach her lofty goal of the top 10. Ashley has the determination, now she needs to load the weapon.
Ashley also played doubles with Ansley Cargill and they made it to the third round where they faced and lost to the eventual champions, Pascual & Suarez. Not a bad showing. Anytime you lose to the eventual champs you feel a little better, especially when the champs ran over, what many would argue could easily be the best doubles team, Kournikova and Hingis in straight sets at 3 and 3.
Ashley is scheduled to play in Columbus, Ohio next week. It's a $75K tournament. Ashley won't have to qualify, she is currently number 12 on the main draw list.
Grand Slams get you a lot of points. Ashley jumped from 242 to 160 in doubles. She slipped in singles having lost in the first round. A better draw could have boosted her rankings.
8/31/02
Ashley and Ansley Cargill are playing women's doubles and have won their first round match. Harkleroad/Cargill defeated Rittner/Serna in 3 sets. Their next opponent is still unknown and if they get to the third round they will face #2 seeds Pascual/Suarez.
A couple of articles out there that mention Ashley. One of them once again trying to compare her to Anna. See the article at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/2002/us_open/news/2002/08/26/anna_ashley_reut/ or go to the Archives page for a link there, titled "Not So Pretty."
8/26/02
Bad news for Harkleroad fans but as much as I hate to admit it it wasn't unexpected. Ashley was simply outgunned and overpowered today. Ashley lost to Majoli 6-3, 6-2.
USA network showed the last five games of the match, all won by Majoli. Ashley was clearly down on herself in the second set. That is the one mental part of her game she needs to overcome against better players if she's going to start to beat them. Ashley did hit a couple of nice shots but a lot of her unforced errors and winners for Majoli came in that second set. Majoli clearly dominated statistically and it showed up in the final score. Majoli was 4-4 on break chances while Ashley was only 1-5, all in the first set. However the stats did show some promise. Ashley put more first serves in than Majoli and had less unforced errors and only one double fault. Majoli however won 62 points to only 38 for Ashley.
Tracy Austin's analysis of Ashley was that she could get into the top 20. For Ashley to get to her goal of top 10 with her eye on #1 she will have to develop a weapon she can use against top players. Austin said it was hard to tell just how good young players will be because moving up to the next level where everyone moves well with weapons to use against their opponent is a lot different than playing in the juniors.
As the webmaster I try to keep my opinion off the site and try to maintain this site "third person." However after listening to some of the experts and her big time opponents (Jennifer Capriati) Ashley will have to find a way to come up with a little more power if she is going to make her goal of top 10. The only other option would be to concentrate on the all court game she displayed when she was 16 which prompted this website in the beginning. Ashley reminded this webmaster a lot of Martina Hingis. Everyone is seeing the struggles Hingis has with the big hitters. Ashley is still young enough to develop her game and get to the top of the heap. As Tracy Austin also mentioned, she has the drive, now she needs to develop the weapon. To all the Harkleroad fans out there. Let's hope she can do it.
Note: Ashley is also playing doubles in the Open with Ansley Cargill.
8/25/02
(From Eric Lord) Ashley played a major role in the Sacramento Capitals 21-13 victory over the New York Buzz in the World Team Tennis finals. After the Capitals dropped the opening match, men's singles, Ashley routed Nannie De Villiers in the women's singles and then teamed with Elena Likhovtseva to win the women's doubles.
For those of you who missed it, Ashley participated in Arthur Ashe kids day on CBS today. Actually the event was yesterday but they aired the event on CBS today. Ashley was on the show. Also Ashley will be the second match on the Grandstand court on Monday. That should put her on court sometime around 1 PM or a little after. Michael Chang plays ahead of her and we all know how he likes to stretch it to 5 sets.
8/21/02
Ashley Draws Majoli: Ashley, of all the wildcards, ends up with the toughest draw of them all, with the lone exception possibly, Martina Hingis. Hingis should win her match, but facing Marissa Irvin coming off of an injury won't be a piece of cake. Ally Baker drew Elena Likhovtseva, Ashley's team mate with the Sacramento Capitals in World Team Tennis, another difficult match up for a future star (Baker.)
Majoli is a former top 10 player and is on the comeback from injury and has been playing very well on the Sanex WTA tour in recent weeks. Ashley however has been playing pretty well herself. She has won two ITF $50K tournaments in a row. Ashley also won a round at the Acura Classic, against Rita Grande who at the time was ranked 39th in the world, in straight sets before losing to Jennifer Capriati.
Let's assume however Ashley can get by Majoli, the next round looks very good. She would face either Laura Granville (USA) or Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) two players she has never faced in the professional ranks but two players you have to like Ashley's chances against. If Ashley is playing her game she can beat either player and even Majoli although a much larger challenge. Also if Ashley can beat Majoli, that would go a long way toward her confidence in big matches, which is something she has struggled with at times, although not as much recently. It would also have to boost her confidence toward her goal of being able to compete at the very top level of women's tennis.
In the third round however the shoe drops. Daniela Hantuchova will surely be waiting for the American wildcard. The goal here would be to at least steal a set from Hantuchova. A win here would likely leave Henin and then Serena ahead. If your a Harkleroad fan you realize this year won't bring any shocking miracles. This is one tough draw from the very beginning. Getting by Hantuchova, Justine and Serena is something even Venus wouldn't relish.
The goal for Ashley has to be to get to Hantuchova and play a completive match against Daniela. If she can do that then her progress continues and surely picks up intensity. She could come out of the open ranked around 130. Ashley moved up 32 spots after winning the GHI Bronx Classic.
8/19/02
There is a great article in the New York Times today about Ashley. The article will only be up a week. Don't worry however I will have a copy posted later. Go check it out - Harkleroad Makes a Statement
8/18/02
Ashley Wins Again. Ashley has won her second tournament in as many finals. Ashley defeated Lubomira Kurhajcova (SLO) 6-1, 6-3. Reports out of New York are that Ashley's fitness made a big difference and that the heat was a hindrance to Kurhajcova. Ashley broke Kurhajcova's serve 5 times while only being broken once herself.
Ashley has now won 13 straight ITF matches and 14 of her last 15 matches losing only to Jennifer Capriati at the Acura Classic in San Diego two weeks ago. Ashley has now improved to 2-2 in final round matches and 2-1 this year in the three finals she has played. Ashley lost to Melinda Czink in Sea Island, GA back in May. She then won the State Farm $50K in early July defeating Tzipora Obziler (ISR) 6-2, 6-2. Ashley's only other finals appearance was in Dothan, Alabama in May 2001 where she lost to Irina Seylutina (KAZ).
Ashley had to do it the hard way in the Bronx. She came all the way through three rounds of qualifying and then five rounds of the main draw. Ashley was pushed to three sets in three of the eight matches she played. Her match with Maria Vento-Kabchi (VEN) was pushed to a third set tie break, which Ashley won 7-3. That match was really the only match in which she was in any jeopardy of losing. She lost the first set in the match, won 7-5 in the second before the third set tie break. Ashley lost the first set against Anca Barna (GER) but dominated the next two sets winning both at 2. She also played a three set match in qualifying against Abby Spears (USA) losing the second set in a tie break but dominated the first and third sets.
8/17/02
Ashley has once again show the flashes of brilliance that prompted the webmaster to build this site after seeing her play in Dothan, Alabama in 2001 at 16 years of age.
Ashley has made it to the Bronx Classic final defeating a top 75 player and the number one seed, Anca Barna 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Ashley has also garnered her first "national" headline in the process. Ashley has received a lot of local headlines but to the best of this webmasters knowledge the semi-final win was the first headline to go out on a national service. Ashley received the headline on one of the more popular home page services, Excite. Harkleroad Advances to Bronx Classic Final
Ashley's coach, Jose Clerc, has said that Ashley can be in the top 10 in a year to a year and a half. Ashley has done nothing but improve and prove Clerc correct since he stated what he thought Ashley could do. On 5/16 Ashley had slipped all the way to 348 in the world. Three months later and only a week or two longer than Ashley has had Clerc as a coach, she has move to 198. That's 150 spots in the rankings and after this week she may be another 10 spots higher heading into the U.S. Open. If she can win two rounds at the open she would flirt with 150 in the world.
If your a Harkleroad fan and I'm betting you are if you read this, you have to like how Ashley is playing right now. Ashley is playing in her 3rd final in 4 tournaments and she has only played four finals to date (professionally.)
If your a Harkleroad fan you also know there is one thing you worry about. The pace Ashley puts on the ball. Ashley likes pace and likes to play players that have a lot of pace. However, as Jennifer Capriati has stated, that is the one area, Ashley needs to improve. I would look for her to work on techniques to improve that area of her game over the winter, but we have all seen Hingis win without pace, and Ashley reminds you a lot of Martina in her court savvy. Next year if she puts it all together, you may be seeing the next American Tennis Superstar.
8/16/02
Ashley is through to the semi-finals of the GHI Bronx Classic. She will face Anca Barna of Germany and the number one seed, for a chance to move to the finals, on Saturday. By getting to the quarter finals Ashley defended her points from last year. Winning her quarter final match and moving to the semi finals gives Ashley more points and will move her up in the rankings again this week.
8/15/02
Ashley gets US Open wildcard. Corina Morariu, Mashona Washington, Ally Baker, Bea Bielik, Ashley Harkleroad, Alexandra Podkolzina and Sarah Taylor were all granted wildcards to the 2002 US Open.
8/15/02
Ashley broke the 200 mark in ranking for the first time this week, landing at 199. Breaking 200 is one of the big milestones in Tennis. Breaking 200 brings more attention and also means less qualifying, which means less matches in a current week. That can be a big advantage at the end of a tournament. If a player doesn't have to qualify they generally have more energy when they get to the semi-finals and finals.
Ashley is playing the $50K GHI Bronx Tennis Classic this week and has already won three qualifying matches and her first round match. Last year at this same tournament Ashley made it through two rounds before losing to Maria Elena Camerin (ITA) 5-7, 4-6. That means Ashley does have points to defend this week. If she wins today she will have defended her points. Any other wins in the tournament will add to her points and should help her ranking just a little bit more. Depending on how well Ashley does she could be around 190 next week. If she can go two rounds at the U.S. Open depending on what those just ahead of her do she could approach 170 by the end of the Open. Those just ahead of her are only fractions of a point ahead. Depending on who's defending points Ashley should move up a little bit more this week with a couple of more wins. All but six of the 100 players ahead of Ashley have played the full compliment of tournaments that count toward rankings and only two have played less tournaments than Ashley. Ashley has only played 14 tournaments toward the "best 17" that are counted. She does have some points to defend coming up but not that many and there are a couple of extra tournaments out there to play if she chooses.
8/12/02
Ashley is playing in the GHI Bronx Tennis Classic and has already defeated Marion Bartoli of France 6-2, 6-4. Ashley beat Marion on her way to the French Juniors final. There are people out there that keep questioning Ashley's ability and how far she can go in professional tennis, yet she keeps beating these other alleged heir apparents. Rita Grande, quickly comes to mind and Rita had a good run in the J.P. Morgan classic. Ashley handled Rita just a week earlier. Ashley is right there. Jose Clerc has Ashley on the right track. That is more apparent everyday. At last check Angelique Widjaja is the number one seed and Ashley had break points at 3-3 in the third at the French against Widjaja. Widjaja isn't playing well right now but maybe she'll hang around long enough to give Ashley another shot at her.
8/08/02
As of today Ashley is listed in the qualifying draw of the GHI Bronx Tennis Classic. Earlier this month Ashley was still only an alternate in this tournament. The most recent update has her listed in the qualifying draw. Ashley played in this tournament last year. The Bronx Tennis Classic is a warm-up tournament for those unable to play the Pilot Pen tournament in Montreal. Last year Ashley won her first two rounds as a wildcard before losing in the third round to Italy's Maria Elena Camerin 5-7, 4-6.
Ashley made a nice little jump in the rankings recently. She is now at 201 and about to break the top 200 for the first time ever. She does have point to defend at the Bronx Tennis Classic and needs to get into the 3rd round at least to maintain those points. She will also have points to defend in Albuquerque and Fresno, however she only has a few points to defend at these tournaments. If she does well in the Bronx and can go a round or two even at the US Open she could gain some more ground going into next year. Peachtree City is also out there at $25K and could get her a few points if she decides to play.
Also you will notice the Juniors ranking starting to take a serious slide as Ashley plays less and less tournaments. Those rankings will no longer be posted as of Feb 1 2003.
7/30/02
Ashley lost today to Jennifer Capriati. Ashley lost all three service games in the 1st set to lose 6-0, however she did bounce back to take a 3-1 lead in the second. Jennifer says she has a good game and I'm sure that's good encouragement coming from the #3 player. According to Jennifer she will have to improve her pace a little as she gets older. Below are some quotes from some news articles on the match.
Capriati wasted little time in establishing control of her match, but Harkleroad took a 3-1 lead in the second set.
"She has a good game," Capriati said. "She is a good athlete and she can move around the court."
Capriati regrouped and regained control by using her muscle to hit powerful baseline shots to win the final five games of the second set.
"Jennifer was moving me around a lot. She was hitting the corners and making me run," Harkleroad said. "Today, she didn't miss too much. She's a great player."
7/29/02
Ashley has won a big match at the Acura Classic. Ashley has beaten 39th ranked Rita Grande in straight sets 6-1 and 7-5. The Acura is a tier II tournament. Winning at this level against the number 39 player in the world shows just how far Ashley as come since Dothan in April. She has been to two ITF finals (winning one) and now a great win in San Diego.
The first set appeared to be all Harkleroad as she won it 6-1. In reality it was a hard fought set with Ashley prevailing on the key points. This is a good sign for Harkleroad fans. Ashley did win the first came at love but after that it wasn't so easy. Ashley broke after going to deuce in game two, held on after going to deuce in game three. Ashley finally broke in game four on her third break chance and after going to deuce twice and was down an ad in the game. Game five was a break of serve for Grande with this game also going to deuce. Ashley broke back in the 6th game and then in the seventh game finished the set off almost as easily as she started winning the game at fifteen.
The second set was a test of wills. Ashley got out to a quick lead, breaking Grande in the first game at fifteen then holding on in the second game after being down a break point twice and going to deuce twice. The 3rd game went to deuce before Grande finally held serve for the very first time in the match. Grande then went on to win 4 of the next 5 games taking a lead at 5-3. Grande then had a set point (twice) in the ninth game before Ashley won the last three points to break back and hold on at 4-5. Ashley then held serve easily to tie it at 5-5. Ashley then broke Grande again to take a 6-5 lead and serve for the set. Grande wasn't done yet and she broke Ashley serve to send the set into a tiebreak. Ashley was up 6-0 in the tie break and once again Grande made a charge getting to 6-4 before finally succumbing to Ashley 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
This was a great win for Ashley and when you examine it more closely it's the kind of match Ashley needs to win. Ashley next faces Jennifer Capriati. While no one will pick Ashley to win, stealing a set away for Ashley will be as good as a win at this point in her young career.
Below are some excerpts from articles on Ashley's win today.
San Diego, CA (Sports Network) Americans Marissa Irvin and Ashley Harkleroad were among the early first-round winners Monday at the $775,000 Acura Classic tennis event.
Irvin topped fellow American Amy Frazier, 6-3, 6-4, while the 17-year-old Harkleroad humbled Italian Rita Grande, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), on the hardcourts at the beautiful La Costa Resort & Spa.
http://www.acuraclassic.com/PressBox/Summaries/Summary10-July29-Harkleroad.html (Link to Acura Article)
“She (Grande) started playing a lot more smarter in the second set,” Harkleroad said. “She was coming in a lot more off my forehand and she was hitting some really good shots.”
In the tiebreaker, Harkleroad took a 6-0 lead and won the match when Grande sent a forehand past the baseline.
“I just fought really hard,” Harkleroad said. “Whenever she started coming in, I started making her play that one ball and I think when it got tight, she got a little bit nervous.”
After winning match point, the young American dropped her racquet and clenched her fists in victory as the large Kid’s Day crowd gave her a huge cheer.
7/14/02
Ashley is currently playing with the Sacramento Capitals in World Team Tennis competition. The Capitals are undefeated and Ashley and doubles partner Elena Likhovtseva are the leagues number on doubles team. The Capitals are in competition today at the Springfield Lasers.
The Capitals have defeated the St. Louis Aces, the Kansas City Explorers and the Philidelphia Freedoms. Ashley has also substituted for Likhovtseva in mixed doubles, taking up right where Likhovtseva left off each time. You can catch all the results at the World Team Tennis web site.
Ashley Wins her First ITF Title
7/07/02
Ashley Harkleroad has won her 1st ITF title. Ashley defeated Tzipora Obziler (ISR) 6-2, 6-2 in the State Farm $50K challenger tournament contested this week in Los Gatos, California.
This was Ashley's first win in 3 professional final rounds. Her previous two finals were in $25K tournaments. Earlier this year she reach the final at Sea Island, Georgia, losing in 3 sets to Melinda Czink of Hungary. May 2001 was her first final in Dothan, Alabama where she lost in two sets to Irina Selyutina.
Ashley had a rough spring this year and didn't always play well. She appeared to be a little out of tune at the Movie Gallery $75K in Dothan, Alabama but that had been her first tournament back form some injury problems and the rough spring. After getting her game back together in Dothan, Ashley has been playing very well.
Ashley went to the final at Sea Island, Georgia. She then went a couple of rounds at the Boars Head tournament in Charlottesville, Virginia. Ashley then went to Europe where she lost in the quarter finals of the Astrid Bowl. A prestigious Junior tournament. Then the French open juniors were up next where she went all the way to the final before losing.
Ashley then skipped Wimbledon Juniors to play the tournament in Los Gatos. Ashley needed to play and earn some points to reach a position where she doesn't have to qualify at so many tournaments. That paid off big time with a win, today.
Ashley should move up about 60 positions in the ranking next week. She will end up around 215 after this weeks play.
7/07/02
Ashley will play Tzipora Obziler (ISR) in today's final at the State Farm $50K in Los Gatos, California. Ashley powered her way into the final defeating Mashona Washington 7-6(2) and 7-5, breaking Washington's serve as she tried to send the second set into a tie break. Ashley easily handled Jie Zheng to get to the semi-final, defeating her 6-4 and 6-0.
7/06/02
Ashley defeated Ansley Cargill the #4 seed 6-2, 6-3. She next faces Jie Zheng of China in the quarter final. Check back for updates later today.
7/04/02
Ashley is playing Independence week in Los Gatos/San Jose, California. Ashley had been listed as playing a $10K in Waco, Texas but early last week moved over to the State Farm USTA $50K Challenger of Los Gatos, California. Ashley was the last entrant into the main draw on her ranking and did not have to qualify for this tournament.
Ashley played her first round match yesterday (7/03) and won in straight sets over Shiho Hisamatsu of Japan, 6-2 6-0. She will face #4 seed Ansley Cargill next. Ashley and Ansley have never faced each other (on the pro circuit.)
Also, Ashley is going to be featured by Askmen.com on July 12th. There is a link at the bottom of the home page.
Ashley is the French Open Juniors runner-up. Ashley lost to Angelique Widjaja (INA) in 3 sets 6-3, 1-6, 4-6. It would been one of the best runs in Juniors history when you look at the draw and the number of ranked players that Ashley had to beat. After Ashley beat qualifier Micaela Moran in the first round, the next 5 matches were all against players not only seeded ahead of Ashley, but ranked ahead of Ashley. Three of the players are even ranked ahead of Ashley in the professional rankings, including 101st ranked Angelique Widjaja who defeated Ashley to win the French Open title.
Ashley did do something she needed to do and that was to get off to a good start. She won the first set, which normally in a big match can be her down fall, losing the first set. Widjaja won the second set pretty easily at 6-1. In the third set Widjaja got out to a 3-1 lead. Ashley stormed back to have double break point in the critical 7th game after pulling even at 3-3. Widjaja managed to hold on after getting it to deuce twice. Those are the points Ashley needs to play better. She had an opening and missed the opportunity. Ashley then was down 3-5 but broke back at love. However at 4-5 and serving to stay in the match she lost the game at 15. She did the same thing against Sarah Taylor in Dothan and against Melinda Czink at Sea Island. She has trouble serving to stay in the match or to bring the match even once her opponent gets game 5 in their pocket. This is the mental part of the game Ashley needs to work on. Like most tennis players, the big points are the key to the win. Ashley will get there. With her determination only good things lay ahead. (The article on the French Open site also talks about Ashley's psychology. "Psychologically speaking, she's a bit fragile, but her talent is undeniable.")
A lot of Ashley's fans (and if your reading this your probably one of them) knew what Ashley could do if she could ever put it altogether at one time in the same tournament. There is no question this was a monumental draw for 11th seeded Ashley. America's number one Junior but only 15 in the world, she wasn't expected to win this title. Surely she would make the quarters or even possibly the semi's but know one expected her to get into the final much less be the runner-up with her up and down play earlier this spring. She has a new coach Jose Luis Clerc and he as seemed to have had a very positive impact in only about 8 weeks. Clerc has been quoted as saying Ashley can be in the top 10 professionally in a year to a year and a half. With runs through a tough draw like this one he may be right.
So how tough was the draw? After losing only two games in her first round match, Ashley had to face the twelfth, tenth, seventh, second and in the final, the top ranked junior in the world. Three of the 5 are ranked ahead of Ashley professionally at #224, #157 and Widjaja at #101.
Some may say Ashley is better than her ranking but hasn't played as many tournaments as a couple of the girls ranked ahead of her, however psychologically when you have to face 5 players in a row ranked ahead of you as well as seeded ahead of you, that is a major task to overcome in an event with the pressure the French Open brings to bare.
There have been a few critics of Ashley as of late, including (alleged expert) Jon Wertheim. Wertheim picked Widjaja to have a break out year this year. He picked Ashley to be just continued "hype." I think Jon may want to review his prediction. Widjaja may have a break out year but Ashley may join her too. Hey Jon! Is she still all hype? You know better now.
6/08/02
Ashley is into the Final @ the French Open. Ashley has made it through to the French Open final defeating the number two seed Svetlana Kuznetsova or Russia. Ashley lost the first set 2-6, getting of to a slow start which seems to be the pattern with her in big matches. The second set went to a hard fought tie break with Ashley finally winning the tie break 9-7. The third set was all Ashley as she closed out the match 6-1. Ashley will now face the number one seed Angelique Widjaja. This will be Ashley's toughest test in this tournament but after beating the fifth, fourth and second seeded players all in a row you have to like her chances. Ashley may have turned the corner in her career at this tournament, even though it is the Juniors, the last 3 players are formidable opponents and it is the French Open. Ashley also defeated the Astrid Bowl Champion in the second round. As the draw has played out Ashley clearly had the toughest draw and she has risen to meet the challenge.
ASHLEY IS THROUGH TO THE SEMI-FINALS @ THE FRENCH OPEN!! Ashley defeated the number four seed Barbora Strycova 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4. A very hard fought match. This is exactly the kind of win Ashley needs to improve her confidence on big points in big matches. Ashley will now have to play the number two seed Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS.) Svetlana had an easier time in her semi-final against Marta Domachowska of Poland, winning 6-3, 6-3. This will be another match that will challenge Ashley both mentally and physically. (GO ASHLEY)
6/07/02
Ashley seems to be on cruise control so far in the 2002 French Open. Ashley handily beat first round opponent Micaela Moran losing only two games. She then faced off against Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) who had just claimed the Astrid Bowl title the week previously. That's a title most thought Ashley not only could have but should have won. Ashley was the number one seed and the defending champion of the Astrid Bowl and was cruising along when she ran into Viktoria Kutuzova a 13 year old from the Ukraine. There was a little bit of smack on the yahoo pages about that loss. However Ashley has regrouped at the French, and has defeated the Astrid Bowl champion as well as the #5 seed Marion Bartoli. She will now face #4 seed Barbora Strycova.
Ashley is also playing doubles with compatriot and friend Ally Baker. Ashley and Ally are through to the quarter finals and will play Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Barbora Strycova. After going to a tie break in the first set of the first match Ashley and Ally have dropped only 4 games in 3 sets.
6/02/02
Ashley has won her first round match at the French Open Juniors. Ashley defeated Micaela Moran (ARG) 6-1, 6-1, losing fewer games than any other first round winner. She will now face the winner of the Anna-Lena Groenefeld/Romina Oprandi (SUI) match. Groenefeld(GER) won last weeks Astrid Bowl in Belgium. Groenefeld defeated Viktoria Kutuzova 6-7, 6-0, 6-0 for the win. Kutuzova defeated Ashley in three sets in the quarter finals of the Astrid Bowl.
5/30/02
Ashley got off to a great start at the 2002 Astrid Bowl, losing only 3 games in her first two matches. It looked like she was going to run through this draw relatively easily. Viktoria Kutuzova put a damper on Ashley's attempt at a second straight Astrid Bowl championship, beating Ashley 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 in the quarter finals. The only thing to do now is to pull for Ashley's friend and compatriot Ally Baker. (Addendum: Ally lost in the semi finals to Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) the eventual champion.)
5/26/02
Ashley is playing the Astrid Bowl in Belgium. She has received a first round bye and will play Nathalia Papadopolou of Sweden. The seeds aren't listed on the web site but it appears Ashley is the #1 seed. There are also a couple of pictures of Ashley from last year on the site. Follow the link to the Astrid Bowl
5/17/02
From The Daily Progress: Jankovic defeated No. 8
Ashley Harkleroad — the tourney’s marquee name — in three roller-coaster sets,
7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-4, despite pain in her neck and shoulder that caused her to
serve underhanded once in the final set. Jankovic was up 5-1 in the second set
before losing six straight games. Then she fell behind 3-1 in the decisive set
only to rally for an improbable triumph. “I was hurting more and more. It was
very, very tough to play with this pain,” said Jankovic, the 2001 Australian
Open juniors champion. “I just kept hitting. I’d try to make a winner with the
first ball — boom, just go for it — and it luckily started to go in.”
Jankovic injured her back two weeks ago and had to default against Harkleroad at
the Sea Island event last week. She has visited local chiropractor Chadwick Hawk
several times this week, allowing her to play. She overcame a 5-1 deficit in the
third set to win her first-round match against Renata Kolbovic, then nearly blew
a big lead against Harkleroad as her left arm weakened. But Jankovic said
she momentarily forgot about her pain when Harkleroad gained an overrule by
contesting a line call early in the third set. Jankovic said her shot hit the
line but Harkleroad pointed to a different ball mark that was out of play.
“I was getting mad,” Jankovic said. “Here I am, always playing honest and
clapping for her good shots, then she points to a wrong mark. It makes me angry.”
5/16/02
News link for an article in "The Daily Progress" "Fame Does Not Faze Harkleroad;"
Ashley has been named circuit player of the week. Her doubles win with Tanner Cochran and her appearance in the finals has earned her the USTA's Circuit Player of the Week honors.
Ashley has slipped all the way to 348 in the rankings. She had great run in the spring last year and all those points are gone. She did have a good week last week and has won her first round match already this week. If she continues this week she should be able to get some of that ranking back.
5/12/02
Good news and bad news. The Good News.......Ashley has won her first professional tournament......the bad news (well to some at least) is that it wasn't singles. She did win doubles at the Cloister Cup in Sea Island, Georgia. She played doubles with Tanner Cochran. They defeated Courtenay Chapman and Lindsey Lee-Waters in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Cochran and Harkleroad where down a break in the first set, fought back to win the set and dominated the match the rest of the way.
More good news. On Saturday Ashley played in the semi -finals of singles facing Lindsey Lee-Waters. It was a hard fought match by both players. Lee-Waters was a very good test for Ashley and winning a hard fought match like this one may have improved her confidence. Lee-Waters is only ranked around 300 at the moment but she took a lot of time off tour to have her first child and has been ranked in the top 100 in the past.
The bad news was on Sunday. Ashley played #4 seed Melinda Czink (Hun) in the final. Ashley got off to a very slow start losing the first four games. She then got down a break in the second set but fought back to win the set 7-5 breaking Czink's serve at 5-4 to get back on serve at 5-5. She then held serve and broke again to win the set. In the third set she was broken in the first game and had to play from behind the whole set. She had a couple of chance to break back to get on serve again but came up a little short and then was broken again when she finally lost the match. Her coach commented "you can't give away a set and expect to win." That's exactly what happened too. She got off to a poor start and had to fight from behind the whole match.
The overall good news is in her overall play. She's playing much better now. Early in the spring she struggled some for a variety of reasons, all seemingly behind her now. She has improved even since the tournament in Dothan. She has one more step facing her right now and that may happen next week. Looking at the draw she has another chance to get her first win in Charlottesville, Virginia. Let's hope she can win it!!
More Good News - she needed the points. All her points from Allentown, Jackson and Dothan, 3 tournaments where she played well, all fell off in recent weeks. This week and a good showing next week will help out. She went to the quarters, semi's and finals respectively at those tournaments. Another final next week will boost her points. (I had forgotten about that until her Grandfather reminded me of that today - Thanks)
5/10/02
Ashley has made it to the semi-finals in singles and doubles finals of the Cloister Cup currently underway in Sea Island, Georgia. Ashley beat Jessica Steck in straight sets to get to the semi's in singles. Jessica was the 7th seed and the last seed in the top half of the draw. As of this writing only Melinda Czink of Hungary, the #4 seed was left. Czink is #230 in the world. Ashley and doubles partner Tanner Cochran are already through to the final. They defeated Jennifer Embry (USA) and Petra Rampe (SLO) to get into the Saturday final. (Scores where unavailable at this time.)
Ashley will face Lindsey Lee-Waters in the singles semi-final. Lee-Waters is of the USA and is currently ranked #303. She has a good game but Ashley should prevail, but may take 3 sets.
5/08/02
Currently Ashley will be the sixth seed at Boars Head Sports Club next week in Charlottesville, Virginia. It's a $25K, then it will be off to the European tour.
5/07/02
Ashley is playing a $25,000 tournament in Sea Island, GA. Sea Island is along the southeast coast of Georgia near Brunswick. She won her first round defeating a very good Teryn Ashley. Could we be seeing win #1?
There is an article in the Brunswick News. Follow this link: http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/brunswick/sports/274867820896922.tbn for the story about Ashley.
4/29/02
The USTA announced 4/16/02 that Ashley Harkleroad would be one of the participants at the "USA Rock & Rally" on May 1st, 2002 to be held in New York City's Rockefeller Center. The rally kicks of the USA Tennis month. Andy Roddick, James Blake, Sister Hazel and Billie Jean King will also be on hand to help launch the event.
"USA Tennis Month is a key component of the USA Tennis Plan for Growth, a five-year, $50 million commitment spearheaded by the USTA in partnership with the Tennis Industry Association to increase tennis participation in communities across America. The USA Tennis Plan for Growth and its extension, USA Tennis Plan for Growth II, is the most ambitious initiative ever proposed to promote and develop the growth of tennis in the United States."
"Harkleroad, 16, made her WTA Tour debut at the 2001 Ericsson Open. Given singles and doubles wild cards in the 2001 US Open, she was the youngest player in the women's singles draw. Her junior career highlight was winning the junior Wimbledon doubles with partner Gisela Dulko of Argentina."
04/11/02
(Dothan, Alabama) The $75,000 USTA Pro Tennis Classic to be contested in Dothan, April 21-28 has a website up on the world wide web. Info for the upcoming tournament and from last years tournament is available on the website. There are 3 pictures of Ashley on the 2001 Tournament link. There is an action shot, a shot with the eventual champion (Ashley was runner-up) and a picture with her dad and a birthday cake. www.dothanprotennis.org
04/09/02
Apparently Ashley isn't playing in the ITF Challenger in Naples. She had stated in an interview at the Nasdaq-100 that she would be playing in Naples. The draw sheets show her as absent. No other details are available at this time.
Check out an article found from last years US OPEN New Anna v Old Anna (Ashley did pretty well in the poll v. Anna Kournikova)
04/01/02
Ashley played in girls portion of the Nasdaq-100 this past week. She was eliminated in the first round of the main draw in the previous week. In Girls play she received a first round bye. She then defeated Shadisha Robinson (USA) 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(1) in another come from behind victory. Ashley then lost in the next round to Maria Sharapova 1-6, 4-6.
3/28/02
Ashley's schedule for the next couple of months: April 8th, Naples, Florida. April 15th, Jackson, Mississippi. April 22nd, Dothan, Alabama. May 5th, Midlothian, Virginia. Then qualifying for the French Open at the end of May.
3/24/02
See Ashley's interview at the NASDAQ-100 open at the following link. Ashley's Interview
3/21/02
Ashley gets a match on stadium court against Martina Muller at the Nasdaq-100. However it didn't go to well for Ashley. She lost the match 4-6, 4-6. Ashley was serving to tie both sets at 5 and had her serve broken both times after leading 40-30 in both sets in game 10. Ashley had 17 break chances and only converted 5 while Martina had only 12 break chances but converted 7. Ashley was 10 of 14 at the net. She won 51% of first serves and only 30% of second serves. (Sounds a little like Hingis) Muller on the other had was 58% and 40% respectively. Ashley did have the fastest serve of the match and a higher average serve but both of these number were raised to that level only after she trailed 2-5 in the second. She made a charge but came up a little short this time.
3/20/02
The Nasdaq-100 draw is out. Ashley will face Martina Muller (GER) in the first round. The match is scheduled for an 11:00 AM start, Thursday March 21st. Looking ahead to the next round if Ashley wins, she will play Iroda Tulyaganova. The third round would likely bring either Ai Sugiyama or Brie Rippner which would then slide Ashley into a match up with likely opponent Jennifer Capriati with an outside shot of Anna Kournikova waiting instead. This is, of course, assuming Ashley wins in the first 3 rounds. The potential opponents in the first three rounds, while not "easy pickings," are opponents Ashley can defeat is she plays her game and dictates the play. (Check back tomorrow for the latest update.)
Ashley lost to potential 3rd round opponent Brie Rippner in Rockford earlier this year in 3 sets.
3/17/02
Ashley was granted a wildcard entry to this years NASDAQ-100 Open. There are several wildcards of note for this tournament. Anna Kournikova, Conchita Martinez and Gisella Dulko top the list along with Ashley for the NASDAQ-100, a tournament many consider second only to the Grand Slams. Ashley's professional debut was last year at this very tournament (then known as the Erickson Open.)
2/25/02
Ashley lost to Eva Fislova (SVK) 7-6, 7-5. She obviously played her tough but she has failed to qualify for the last 3 tournaments where she was required to qualify. She did get in as a lucky loser in Rockford.
Ashley defeated Petra Rampre (SLO) 4-6, 7-6(4) 6-2. A close match and one Ashley could have lost in a second set tie-break. Ashley will play Eva Fislova (SVK) next. Eva easily won her first round match 6-0, 6-1 over wildcard Megan Tiegs. Fislova is also the #8 seed in qualifying.
02/24/02
Ashley is playing this week in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is playing the qualifying rounds. Her first round opponent is Petra Rampre (SLO) The tournament is a $50,000 tournament.
02/23/02
Ashley played with Lioudmila, Skavronskaia (RUS) in the doubles at Columbus. They won in the first round 6-2, 6-4. They then lost in the second round to Tara Snyder and Jacqueline Trail, both of the USA, 5-7, 4-6. Maureen Drake (CAN) who defeated Ashley in the singles is through to the final.
02/22/02
Ashley lost in the second round to #2 Seed Maureen Drake of Canada. Ashley won the first set 6-0 and then went on to lose the next two sets 3-6, 3-6.
02/21/02
Ashley is playing at a $25K in Columbus, Ohio this week. She won her first round match against Kelly Liggan (IRL) 6-2, 6-2. When you look at the draw and if you have followed Ashley's career at all you suddenly realize that this may be her first ITF victory. There is some tough competition in the field and it won't be a cake walk but the prospects for her first victory since playing her first final last May in Dothan, Alabama look the better than they ever.
02/12/02
The good news is the virus is gone and the website is back up, well it is if your reading this right now. Man almost two months to get it back in service. There are some changes at www.harkleroad.sport.new.net and in the future a more "artistic" website is the goal. The pictures are bigger in the Photo Gallery, there will be some new articles in the Archives in a day or two and in about two months hopefully some brand new pictures. This web site is number one on many of the search engines and has been for a while on www.google.com. Kind of amazing for the webmaster of this site as this just started out as a little fun project that might get some attention from people he didn't know as opposed to a personal web site that once your friends see it, who cares? However once you get to the top of the charts you start to feel a little pressure to keep things update and new. This was suppose to be a little hobby. If you enjoy the site or have any comments you can reach the webmaster at hemichallenger@prodigy.net.
There is some news about Ashley if you haven't heard lately. She has played two recent ITF tournaments and didn't fair to well in qualifying. She was a Lucky Loser in Rockford (Illinois, I believe) but then went on to lose in the first round to Brie Rippner 3-6, 6-2, 2-6. She then played in Midland Michigan where she lost in qualifying. However she did qualify with Marie-Eve Pelletier in the doubles where they went all the way through to the semi-final round before losing to Maria Geznenga (BUL) and Michaela Pastikova (CZE) 2-6, 3-6.
12/25/01
New discussion board goes live. Go to www.harkleroad.sport.new.net and click on the "Discussion Board" link to discuss the rising career of Ashley Harkleroad.
12/14/01
The News isn't good today. Ashley lost to Marion Bartoli (FRA) in the quarters 1-6, 7-6(2), 3-6. Ashley got into the quarters by defeating Alexandra Liles 6-1, 6-4.
12/12/01
Ashley's first two matches at the Burger King Orange Bowl tennis tournament resulted in crushing wins. In round one she defeated Maria Jose Herrera Lopez (MEX) 6-1, 6-1. The next round resulted in another 6-1, 6-1 win over qualifier Daria Kustava (BLR). Ashley faces Alexandra Liles (USA) in the next round. Also there was an article in the Miami Hearld last week when she was playing in the Connolly Cup on Key Biscayne. The writer did get some of the facts wrong but it was still an article with Ashley as the topic.
12/09/01
Ashley is seeded 5th in the Burger King Orange Bowl at The Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, Florida. The tournament runs through December 16th and is the last big Junior Tournament of the year.
12/05/01
The USA is out in the Connolly Cup. Ashley defeated Gisela Dulko 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. However Amber Liu lost her match and Ashley and Amber lost to Gisela Dulko and Maria Jose Argeri 2-6, 6-7(2).
12/04/01
Ashley is playing in the Connolly Cup for the USA team. She won her match against Agustina Arechavaleta of Uruguay 6-3, 6-0. Ashley and Amber Liu then defeated Estefania Craciun and Lucia Migliarini 6-0, 6-1. The USA advanced to the third round. Bethanie Mattek lost her match but the USA moves on. Bethanie had to retire at 2-2 in the first set. I hope this doesn't DQ the USA. Since I don't know the rules for this tournament - I don't know what round 3 will present. Check back for updates in the next day or two.
12/03/01
Day one of the Connolly cup was all USA against Canada. The USA won all three matches. Ashley defeated Melanie Marois 6-3, 6-3. Then she teamed up with Bethanie Mattek to defeat Diane Srebrovic and Melanie Marois 6-3, 6-3. Amber Liu defeated Beier Ko 6-1, 6-1 for the 3-0 sweep of Canada.
