First Time’s
A Charm

Holdren/Lima
qualify for main draw

By Ed Letsinger  

Jennifer Holdren said she and partner Priscilla Lima had no expectations when they entered the qualifying round of the AVP Nissan Series Cincinnati Open on Thursday; primarily because the first time the pair ever played together was on Tuesday morning for a practice session at Lindner Family Tennis Center.

But now the pair is looking at a first round match in the main draw on Friday after a hard-fought 22-20, 21-15 win over the team of Mary Bailey/Julie Romias in one of six final women’s qualifying matches.

“I’m excited and I think we have a lot of potential,” said Holdren of the newly formed team. “Considering the lack of practice we’ve had I think we played real well.”

Holdren said she and Lima met two weeks ago at the San Diego Open and the pair hit it off. Both were looking around for partners so they decided to give it a shot and they are off to a good start.

“One of our goal was to qualify and we did it so from here on out it’s just gravy,” said Holdren.

Other women’s qualifiers included Saralyn Smith/Ann Windes, Michelle More/Suzanne Stonebarger, Angela Lewis/Ella Vakhidova and Jenelle Koester/Ali Wood.

Qualifying for the men’s draw is Leoardo Moraes/Mike Morrison, Gabe Gardner/Adam Johnson, Steve Grotowski/Adam Roberts, John Mayer/Sean Rooney, Ran Kumgiski/Matt Prosser, Ben Koski/Jeff Minor, Ed Ratledge/Aaron Wachtfoger and Pepe Delahoz/Brad Torsone.