2001 Tournament News Archive
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Amber Liu’s Got Her Ticket to the Open…do you?
By: Alana Marcu
August 12, 2001

San Jose, CA----"I had tunnel vision all week," Girls’ 18 Super National Hard Court Champion, Amber Liu, explained after her flawless final on Sunday, August 12, "I felt really great and very focused."

Focused is one way of describing her championship match against the lanky, lefty from North Carolina, Allison Baker, as Liu dropped a whopping three games. "I know I played really well," Liu admitted in her modest manner. Well? You played awesome Amber! And not just in the finals but all week! Anyone who has seen Liu in action or has picked up a draw sheet can attest to that. Just look at the scores…the girl hasn’t dropped more than four games in a match…let alone a set. So take it all in Amber and enjoy your success before you head to New York for the US Open. Congratulations Amber.

Baker could only shake her head and toss her racquet in frustration as Liu painted another line and retrieved just one more ball. But no one said fifteen-year old, Allison Baker, hasn’t had an amazing tournament herself. She came in as lucky number thirteen and left as number two out of 192…not bad! "I’m really happy that I got to the finals," Baker said, "I was really nervous and I missed a lot of shots, but she (Liu) played really tough. I guess I didn’t expect her to play so well."

It would be a day of back-to-back wins for Meghan Bradley. She defeated Tory Zawacki for third place, 6-1, 6-2, and seized the doubles title with partner Erin Burdette over the seemingly dejected team of Allison Baker and Jamea Jackson, 6-1, 6-2.

Tanner Cochran prevailed over Jamea Jackson, in a three-hour, marathon match for a fifth place finish in the tournament, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4). Maybe it was the long rallies or high, loopy topspin shots into the fence from her match with Jackson that caused Cochran to buckle in doubles. Cochran and partner Kristen Schlukebir lost to the Thompson twins, 6-1, 6-2, for the third and fourth play off.

So as the banners disappear and the draw sheets are removed, we realize the week flew by like we knew it would. We say good-bye to the 192 girls that traveled to San Jose to show off all their hard work and dedication. We say good-bye to the 175 volunteers that made this tournament possible. We say good-bye to the Almaden Valley Athletic Club, home of the 2001 Girls’ 18 Super National Hard Court Championship, where racquet bags will no longer clutter the hallways…at least until next year!