Glatch exceeds expectations

Alexa Glatch, a 15-year-old Newport Beach resident, went beyond her

expectations in winning her first Grand Slam event in a first-round

women’s singles match at the U.S. Open Tuesday in Flushing Meadows,

N.Y.

“I don’t believe it,” Glatch, who will turn 16 Sept. 10, told

reporters following a 6-4, 6-3 triumph against Yuliana Fedak Tuesday.

“I didn’t expect to come here and win a match.”

Glatch, who reached the semifinals of a U.S. Open-tuneup at Forest

Hills, N.Y., last week faces Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Montenegro

in today’s second round, scheduled for 8 a.m. Pacific time. She is

also entered into the doubles draw with partner Vania King. The two

are set to face the fifth-seeded duo of Daniela Hantuchova and Ai

Sugiyama today.

A victory against Jankovic could set up a third-round match

against 12th-seeded Mary Pierce, who won the women’s singles title at

the Acura Classic in Carlsbad last month, provided Pierce also

prevails.

Glatch, who turned professional in May, entered both the U.S. Open

and Forest Hills tournament as a wild card. In April, she claimed

singles and doubles at the prestigious Easter Bowl.