Stevenson to play today in Sacramento qualifying

Alexandra Stevenson, the daughter of basketball
Hall of Famer Julius Erving, drew international
attention in 1999 by becoming the first female
qualifier to reach the Wimbledon semifinals.

   Top-seeded Alexandra Stevenson, a former Wimbledon semifinalist, is scheduled to play fellow American Rianna Valdes today in the first round of qualifying for the $50,000 FSP Gold River Women's Challenger.
   They will meet after a 10 a.m. match at the Gold River Racquet Club in the Sacramento area.
   Stevenson drew international attention in 1999 by becoming the first female qualifier to reach the Wimbledon semis. The 6-foot-1 (1.85-meter) daughter of basketball Hall of Famer Julius Erving climbed to a career-high No. 18 in 2002 before shoulder problems derailed her career.
   Now 34 and living in the San Diego area, Stevenson is ranked No. 405. Valdes, 18, of Boca Raton, Fla., is No. 577.
   The main draw is scheduled for Tuesday through July 26. Admission is free for qualifying and day sessions during the main draw. Tickets start at $10 for night sessions.

$50,000 FSP GOLD RIVER WOMEN'S CHALLENGER

At Gold River Racquet Club in Sacramento, Calif.

Today's schedule

(Starting at 10 a.m.)

Stadium

   Jessi Muljat, Sacramento, vs. Brynn Boren, United States.
   Alexandra Stevenson (1), United States, vs. Rianna Valdes, United States.
   Usue Maitane Arconada (3), United States, vs. Ema Burgic Bucko, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
   Jillian Taggart, Fair Oaks, vs. Kat Facey, Cameron Park.

Court 3

   Mary Closs, Menlo Park, vs. Renata Zarazua (7), Mexico.
   Maegan Manasse (Cal), Redondo Beach, vs. Jacquie Tan, Elk Grove.
   Michaela Gordon, Saratoga, vs. Andreea Ghitescu, Romania.
   Nicole Baloescu, Canada, vs. Nicole Frenkel (8), United States.

Court 4 

   Tornado Alicia Black (2), United States, vs. Ena Shibahara, United States.
   Alexandra Facey, Cameron Park, vs. Mari Osaka (6), Japan.
   Julia Elbaba, United States, vs. Kylie McKenzie, United States.
   Tori Kinard (4), United States, vs. Seriana Saltzen, Cameron Park.

Court 5 

   Sophia Bursulaya, United States, vs. Ashley Weinhold, United States.
   Alaina Miller, Saratoga, vs. Rosie Johanson, Canada.
   Mishel Okhremchuk, Ukraine, vs. Jacqueline Cako (5), United States.
   Kelly Chen, United States, vs. Tory Parravi, United States.