The United States Tennis Association has promoted Ashley Harkleroad, 17, as the next Jennifer Capriati.

They might want to amend that. The blond-haired Harkleroad's looks and finesse game hint to Anna Kournikova.

And she even lost yesterday.

Lindsay Lee-Waters, 25, knocked off Harkleroad, the tournament's brightest star remaining in the field, 1-6, 6-1, 7-6 (11-9) to gain her first tournament win of the year in the World Tennis Cup at Wickertree Tennis Club.

"We both had our chances, either one could have won the match,'' Lee-Waters said. "It was a big win for me. She (Harkleroad) has done well and won a lot of tournaments, so it's a steppingstone.

"I definitely feel like I'm on my way. I've played well all year.''

Winds complicated playing conditions for both players, and a thigh injury had Harkleroad at less than 100 percent. The injury would force her to pull out of the doubles finals.

"I started off really good and it (thigh) started to get tired,'' said Harkleroad, who breezed in the first set. "I started feeling it more and more, and I asked for the trainer so I could get some Advil.

"In the third set, it was getting so windy. On one side it was easy, you could win games like this (snap of the fingers), and on the other side you know you're struggling.''

Harkleroad also battled her emotions, offering a lecture to herself, a thrown racket and tears after losing 11-9 in the tiebreaker.

"I try and stay calm,'' Lee-Waters said. "She's young and still learning. I know even for me if I start getting involved in a match or getting mad it doesn't help my game.''

Lee-Waters walked away with $12,000 in prize money, and the 55 points she received should boost her world ranking from 174 to the 130 range. Harkleroad won some nice spending money, $6,400, and expects to jump from 150 to around 120.

"I can't win them all,'' Harkleroad said. "She knew I was hurting; she was playing really smart. She wasn't going for so much. Usually, she goes for too much when I play her.''

tsawchik@dispatch.com