July 16, 2004

Back to the table of Contents Page

Classifieds

Palo Alto Online

Finding their niche

by Rick Eymer

As top seeds Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport move closer to their expected showdown in Sunday's championship match of the Bank of the West Classic, Stanford junior Amber Liu and former Cardinal Marissa Irvin have their sights set elsewhere.

Liu lasted one round this week in the 34th annual event being played at Stanford's Taube Tennis Center, while Irvin lasted two rounds. Both were happy, however, to be playing on basically what has become their home court.

"I definitely enjoy playing at Stanford," Irvin said. "I pick up the ball better and the bounce is truer."

Williams and Davenport, meanwhile, also seem to enjoy playing at Stanford. The top-seeded Williams won her opener Wednesday night with a 6-1, 6-1 thumping of Linsdsay Lee-Waters while the No. 2-seeded Davenport played her first match last night.

While both are expected to face each other Sunday at 1 p.m., Liu is still trying to decide whether she'll turn pro or not and Irvin is still looking to improve.

Liu gave 25th-ranked Amy Frazier everything she could handle before falling, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, in a first-round match on Tuesday.

Irvin, who had to qualify for the tournament, surprised seventh-seeded and 29th-ranked Meghann Shaughnessy, 6-3, 6-1, in the match following's Liu's defeat.

Irvin then lost to Mashona Washington, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, on Wednesday.

Liu, who is currently ranked 331st in the world, held a 5-2 lead in the first set before Frazier rallied for the victory. In fact, Liu led at one point in every set.

"I had my chances," Liu said. "I was up 5-2 and 40-15 but I didn't focus enough and started thinking about the score. She played a couple of good points and gained a little bit of momentum."

Liu continues her summer of learning as she tries to gauge her game against professional players both on the WTA Tour and ITF Challengers. She's entered in the main draw in San Diego and will once again play in the U.S. Open.

"It's a great experience," she said. "Last year I would have been a little overwhelmed. But I have to go out with the attitude that I can stay with these girls or I wouldn't have a chance."

Had Liu turned pro last year, her career earnings would be over $55,000. An appearance at the Bank of the West guarantees a player $4,230. Liu can only keep expenses to remain an amateur.

On the other hand, Irvin has yet to win a WTA event but has more than $500,000 in career earnings.

It's a difficult decision to turn pro early, and one Liu takes seriously.

After winning the NCAA singles championship two years running, and helping Stanford to an undefeated season and national title this past spring, Liu realizes there's nothing left to prove in college tennis.

That might not be the deciding factor in her final decision to turn pro though.

"It's a lifestyle change from school," she said. "It's easier to be happier at school. The tour game can get a little miserable if you lose. I need to see where my game is. If I were to come back, it's not so much for tennis but would have to do with the lifestyle."

Liu has spoken with former Stanford players like Lilia Osterloh and Laura Granville, who won NCAA singles titles and also left school early to turn pro.

"It's interesting to talk to them," Liu said. "Lilia it was obvious she was more ready to leave after one year. I haven't talked to Laura in awhile but the gist I got is she missed school a lot."

Liu said she's academically oriented - both parents graduated from Stanford - but has also been playing tennis since she was eight years old, or about two years into Frazier's professional career.

"Tennis takes a little bit of precedence," Liu said. "I love playing for a team and living with my friends. That's an experience a lot of girls on the tour never had."

Irvin, who also turned pro early, thinks Liu shouldn't base her decision on how well she's done in college.

"College tennis is not indicative at all how you'll do," Irvin said. "The college game is much different and unfortunately has gotten weaker. If she wants to pursue tennis as a profession, then that's the way to go. Amber has certainly proven herself at the collegiate level."

The 98th-ranked Irvin, who defeated then No. 7 Justine Henin-Hardenne at Stanford two years ago for her career-best win, is now 2-4 for her career at the Bank of the West Classic.

"I love playing at Stanford," she said. "Right now I'm playing tennis as well as I ever played, even though my ranking is not the best I've had. But I feel confident in the way I'm playing."

Irvin nearly didn't make it into the tournament, as she cramped during her Saturday qualifying match against Osterloh. The trainer suggested she pull out.

"It was not exceptionally hot but it got to me," Irvin said. "I was definitely not sure I would be able to finish the match. But I was playing at Stanford and I wasn't quitting."

E-mail a friend a link to this story.