Fink (Calabasas, CA) struggled mightily with her nerves and the world-record levels serve of

former world no. 9 Brenda Schultz-McCarthy (Netherlands) as McCarthy jumped out to a 5-0

lead. Though McCarthy would go on to take the set 6-4, Fink’s run of four consecutive games in

that first set gave her added confidence while soothing her nerves. For Fink, used to playing

college-level players as a member of the USC tennis team, the pace of McCarthy’s serve was

initially hard to adjust to. “You don’t see a serve like hers every day, said Fink. “But actually, I

was returning really well.” As Fink began to figure out how to return McCarthy’s rocket-like

serves, the momentum of the match clearly swung into Fink’s favor as the 37-year-old McCarthy

seemed to wilt in the blistering heat this afternoon. The unranked Fink, a wild card into this

year’s Mecco Cup, advanced to her first career semifinal in a professional tournament with a 4-

6, 6-4, 6-1 upset victory over her veteran opponent. When asked after her huge victory if she

was surprised at her success thus far in the Mecco Cup, she replied, “It’s hard to come into

these tournaments with any real expectations.”

While Fink has surely already exceeded any expectations she might have had, to reach her first

professional tournament final, she will face another difficult challenge in Saturday’s first

semifinal from fellow American Lauren Albanese (Parkland, FL). Albanese today defeated

Chin-Wei Chan (Taipei), last week’s finalist in the Boston $50k challenger, in a hard-fought

three set match, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. Playing with desperate physical and emotional intensity in her

quest to earn a berth in the US Open qualifying draw, Albanese is more focused than ever

before. She attributes her motivation to a desire to prove to herself and others that she’s “not

here just to show up for the first couple of rounds.” Albanese’s results this summer represent a

complete turnaround since the beginning of 2008, when she was knocked out in the first round

of the first eleven tournaments she played. Since that time, she says she has “completely

turned my season around,” reaching the finals in Raleigh, NC, and El Paso, TX.

In the other major upset of the day, no. 1 seed Stephanie Dubois (Canada) was taken out by

no. 8 seed Regina Kulikova (Russia) in a grueling match on Court 7, 6-4, 7-5. Both sets were

highly competitive and could have easily gone either way. The victorious Kulikova summed it

up afterwards, saying, “It was a really difficult match today and she was playing really good.”

Not only did Kulikova have to defeat Dubois, who pushed world no. 8 Anna Chakvedatze

(Russia) to three sets at Wimbledon, but she also had to contend with stifling conditions as well.

“It was really hot today. I was fighting on the court just to play my game.” Regardless of

whether or not she reaches the final, Kulikova’s results in Allentown are the best she’s had

since winning the $25k Pro Circuit event in Clearwater this past February. To advance to the

Mecco Cup final, Kulikova will have to get past no. 3 seed Milagros Sequera (Venezuela) who

defeated American qualifier Alexis Prousis (Lake Forest, IL) earlier today 6-3, 6-2.

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Saturday’s doubles final will pit no. 1 seeds Chin-Wei Chan (Taipei) and Natalie Grandin

(South Africa) against 2006 Mecco Cup doubles champion Carly Gullickson (Brentwood, TN)

and partner Nicole Kriz (Australia), the no. 4 seeds. The doubles final will take place

immediately proceeding the completion of the second singles semifinal on Stadium Court.

Tickets for Championship Weekend – Saturday, July 12th, and Sunday, July 13th – cost $7 per

day, though fans may choose to donate a tennis racquet in lieu of the cost of admission.