Southern players and organizations are constantly making their mark in the world of tennis. Here's a list of recent awards, achievements and news in May 2012.

 

In front of a crowd of about 300 people, Grace Min, of Norcross, Ga. defeated Tamaryn Hendler of Belgium in a thrilling three-set match to take the Raleigh Women's Challenger 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

 

Min began the match at North Hills Club in Raleigh, N.C.playing fairly cautious and allowing Hendler to control the points. Min was broken in the seventh game of the first set was and unable to break Hendler back to lose it 6-3. Being cautious didn’t work for Min so she turned her game around, sending winners cross court and down the line.

 

Min took the second set 6-2 in 33 minutes. At the beginning of the third set the momentum shifted and Hendler shot off with a 2-0 lead. But before she could get comfortable Min stepped her game up and once she regained her break of serve she never looked back, taking the set 6-3.

 

In the doubles final the Canadian team of Gabriela Dabrowski and Marie-Eve Pelletier defeated Americans Alexandra Mueller and Asia Muhammed in a hard fought but entertaining match 6-4, 4-6, (10-5).

 

Min also won two ITF tournaments this year -- Indian Harbour and Innisbrook -- and reached the final in Clearwater. She has reached a career-high No. 203 in the world.

 

Oudin, Baker earn French Open wild cards

US Open mixed doubles champion Melanie Oudin, of Marietta, Ga., and Brian Baker, of Nashville, received French Open Wild Cards by accumulating the most points in recent USTA Pro Circuit tournaments. Oudin won Charlottesville and Baker won Savannah. Oudin has been training at the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center before receiving additional USTA High Performance coaching at the USTA facility in Boca Raton, Fla.