Georgia natives and wild card entries Robby Ginepri, Donald Young, and Melanie Oudin got off to a superb start at the Pacific Life Open in India Wells, CA. The two- week tournament held at the prestigious Indian Wells Tennis Garden attracts the top names in tennis and is the fifth most-attended tennis tournament next to the Grand Slams. Oudin and Young are making their first appearances at the Pacific Life Open where as Ginepri is making his six trip back to the tournament.
Melanie Oudin had an impressive win in the first round of the Pacific Life Open. In her first ever pro tournament the Sixteen-year-old wild card entry, defeated Maret Ani from Estonia, 7-5, 6-2. Melanie moves on to face the No. 13 seed, Francesca Schiavone of Italy.
Wild Card entry, Robby Ginepri, opened the tournament with a phenomenal performance against Vince Spadea. Ginepri put on a teaching clinic as he crushed the Chicago native, 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of the Pacific Life Open. Next Ginepri will face 19th ranked Carlos Moya of Spain.
Ginepri has been rapidly climbing up the ranks as he jumped 80 spots to No. 91 after some impressive semifinal finishes in three of his ATP appearances this season.
Donald Young also started off strong in the first round, clinching a win over fellow American Bobby Reynolds 6-3, 6-4. Young converted on both break point chances to defeat Reynolds in 61 minuets of play.
Young is coming off a stellar performance in his first ATP quarterfinal at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis two weeks ago.
North Carolina native, John Isner, is set to face Italy’s Simon Bolelli in the first round of the tournament later on today.