Atlanta’s Ansley Cargill defeated Tatiana Perebynis 6-4, 6-4 in the finals of the Wolfe Lumber Women’s $50,000 Challenger on Sunday at the Oak Knoll Country Club in Hammond, LA. Cargill was unseeded in the draw but toppled eighth seed player Ryoko Fuda and top seed Tatiana Poutchek before defeating Mary Gambale in the semifinals to advance to the championship match.
The 24-year old turned pro in 2001 after her freshman year at Duke University. While at Duke, she was an ITA All-American, the ITA Freshman of the Year and earned a No.1 ranking before completing the year at No.2 behind Laura Granville. Currently, she is ranked second in Top American Women in the 2006 USTA Pro Circuit behind Lilia Osterloh. Former Brentwood, TN resident Carly Gullickson is ranked fifth.
The USTA organizes, sponsors, and administers the USTA Pro Circuit - the gateway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis professionals, and a frequent battleground for established players. The 2005-2006 circuit features nearly 100 events for men and women. Prize money at the USTA Pro Circuit events ranges from $10,000 to $75,000, with more than $3 million in purses this year. Players also earn valuable ATP and WTA tour ranking points. The USTA Pro Circuit boasts an alumni of some of the biggest names in tennis, many of whom have gone on to win Grand Slam titles, including Andre Agassi, Lindsay Davenport, Chanda Rubin, Tim Henman, James Blake, and Mary Pierce.