Rossana de los Ríos

April 7th, 2009.

Today Rossana won her first ITF title of 2009 at the $25,000 tournament in Pelham, Alabama! She defeated Argentine Jorgelina Cravero in the final, 6-4 6-1. The match was delayed from yesterday due to rain, and today the weather was again a critical factor. "The conditions today were terrible. The wind, the courts, everything was bad. But we have to play," Rossana said after the match.

Rossana took an early and demanting 4-0 lead in the first set before the Argentine levelled at 4-4 as the Paraguayan began to hit long and wide. "My game is very aggressive with my forehand, but with these conditions sometimes, with the wind, the ball can go in or out. You have to focus on the game," she said. Rossana began to play more conservative and force Cravero to make errors, which gave her the first set 6-4. In the second set, Rossana's court coverage and array of shots were too much for Cravero to conquer, as de los Rios ran away with the set and the match, 6-1. "She played really, really well today," Cravero said after the match. "She hit better winners."

The title is Rossana's 9th career ITF singles title, with her last victory coming at $75,000 Albuquerque in September 2007, having lost in the Pelham final last year and also the Albuquerque final last year. As the #2 seed, the Paraguayan only lost one set all week! This was her path to the victory:

First Round: (2) Rossana De Los Rios (PAR) d. (SE) Sophie Ferguson (AUS) 7-6(5) 6-4
Second Round: (2) Rossana De Los Rios (PAR) d. Meng Yuan (CHN) 6-1 6-1
Quarterfinals: (2) Rossana De Los Rios (PAR) d. (Q) Sharon Fichman (CAN) 3-6 6-1 7-5
Semifinals: (2) Rossana De Los Rios (PAR) d. (Q) Yuliana Fedak (UKR) 6-2 6-1
Final: (2) Rossana De Los Rios (PAR) d. Jorgelina Cravero (ARG) 6-4 6-1

The titles Rossana has obtained are now as follows: $25K Pelham ('09), $75K Albuquerque ('07), $50K Mestre ('07), $25K Palm Beach Gardens ('07), $50K San Diego ('06), $10K Buenos Aires 2 ('99), $10K Santa Maria Capua ('92), $10K Lima ('91) and $10K Francaville ('91)

Next week Rossana will play in Charleston, South Carolina! Felicitaciones, Rossana!!!!!!

September 20th, 2008.

Rossana de los Rios advanced to her second singles final of 2008 today in the $75,000 event in Albuquerque. Rossana, who turned 33 on Tuesday, defeated 19 year old Colombian Mariana Duque Marino 6-0 6-3 for a place in the final.

The defending champion and #1 seed cruised through the opening set without even the drop of a game. The second set was similarly one sided, with Rossana's greater experience over the Colombian being very evident. Duque Marino, the #3 seed and #108, managed to win three games in the second set, but the Paraguayan was much too strong, prevailing 6-0 6-3.

Tomorrow, Rossana will contest in her second final of the year against American #2 seed Julie Ditty. Ditty, like Rossana, is yet to drop a set in the tournament. The American beat de los Rios in the Semifinals of $25K Palm Desert in February 2007, 6-3 6-4.

This week enroute to the final, Rossana overcame Alexandra Stevenson 7-6(4) 6-4 in the first round, then elminated Alexandra Podkolzina 6-2 6-4 and Varvara Lepchenko in the Quarterfinals, 6-4 6-3. Today's 6-0 6-3 victory over Mariana Duque Marino made it it 9 in a row for Rossana in Albuquerque. Enroute to the title last year, Rossana defeated Maret Ani, Michelle Larcher De Brito, Maria Fernanda Alves, Chanelle Scheepers and Carmen Klaschka.

Rossana's ranking currently sits at #96, following today's victory. If Rossana is to win tomorrow, her ranking will be #94. Rossana is seeking her 9th ITF singles title.

September 19, 2008

Rossana de los Rios has strolled into to the Semifinals of the $75,000 tournament in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The top seed and defending champion from Paraguay defeated the 7th seed Varvara Lepchenko of the United States, 6-4 6-3 to record her second Semifinal appearance of 2008.

Lepchenko had defeated de los Rios in June this year at the Barcelona tournament on clay. The Uzbek-born player, who is currently ranked #157 but has been as high as #84 in 2006, won that previous encounter 7-5 6-2.

Today however, Rossana was in her element and was able to overcome the powerful baseliner. Tomorrow, in the Semifinals, de los Rios will play Colombia's top player Mariana Duque Marino in a battle between the #2 and #3 ranked South Americans.

Duque Marino defeated Argentina's Jorgelina Cravero 6-3 3-6 7-5 to set up the clash against Rossana.

If successful in her Semifinal match tomorrow, Rossana will re-enter the top 100 once again, with her current ranking sitting at #106. The other Semifinal match will be contested between Anna Tatishvili of Georgia and second seed Julie Ditty from the United States. Rossana's Quarterfinal win today is her 30th of the year (not including Fed Cup).

Last year Rossana won the title in $75,000 Albuquerque, beating Maret Ani, Michelle Larcher De Brito, Maria Fernanda Alves, Chanelle Scheepers and Carmen Klaschka in the process. This week, Rossana defeated Alexandra Stevenson 7-6(4) 6-4 in the first round and eliminated Alexandra Podkolzina 6-2 6-4 in the second round yesterday.

September 18, 2008.

The top seed and defending champion, Rossana de los Rios, defeated qualifier Alexandra Podkolzina 6-2 6-4 to book her place in the Quarterfinals of the $75,000 tournament in Albuquerque. de los Rios, #95 in the world, never seemed very troubled during the encounter against the American #392. The victory is the 31st of 2008 (including Fed Cup in February) for Rossana, who will now take on 7th seed American Varvara Lepchenko in the Quarterfinals. 

The 33-year-old beat the 1999 Wimbledon Semifinalist Alexandra Stevenson in the first round on Tuesday. Stevenson led 5-2 in the opening set and obtained a set point before the Paraguayan clawed her way back into the set to win it in a tiebreak. "I wasn't sharp," said de los Rios. "I was trying to hurry things." Rossana then cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second set before the American won a string of three games to tighten the set at 5-4. Nevertheless, Rossana regrouped and closed out the set, taking the match 7-6(4) 6-4.

Rossana is in Albuquerque with her husband, Gustavo, and her daughter Ana-Paula. According to Toby Smith of the Albuquerque Journal, Armando Cobo is their tournament host this week, and has reportedly been supporting Rossana very vocally during her matches, with shouts of "Vamos!", "Muy Bien!", and "No Mas!"

Last year Rossana took home the singles crown in $75,000 Albuquerque, claiming her 8th career ITF title in the process. She defeated Maret Ani in the final, and also beat Sabine Klaschka, Chanelle Scheepers, Maria Fernanda Alves and Michelle Larcher De Brito enroute to the title.

The Paraguayan will play Varvara Lepchenko in Quarterfinal action tomorrow on Centre Court, starting at 12PM New Mexico time. Rossana originally led in the head-to-head between the two when she defeated Lepchenko 6-3 4-6 6-3 in $50,000 Ashburn in 2004, on hard court. Back in June of this year, Lepchenko leveled their head-to-head with a 7-5 6-2 defeat over de los Rios in Barcelona on clay.

September 16, 2008.

Rossana celebrated her 33rd birthday today with a 7-6(4) 6-4 victory over Alexandra Stevenson in the first round of $75K Albuquerque, New Mexico. The top seed, who is won the tournament last year, needed a tiebreak in the opening set before closing out the encounter more comfortably in the second set.

The Paraguayan has achieved great success in recent weeks, most notibly the inspiring run she made at the US Open in New York at the end of last month. Rossana won all three qualifying matches and recorded her first main draw Grand Slam victory in 5 years when she defeated Hana Sromova 6-3 2-6 6-3. Her run came to an end at the hands of 7th seed Venus Williams, 6-0 6-3.

With the 55 points from winning the $75,000 event last year coming off, Rossana's top 100 ranking has been lost for the third time this year. Her current ranking sits at #107, however if Rossana is to win another 3 matches this week, and make the final, she will ensure her top 100 ranking once more.

Last year, de los Rios won the title by defeating Estonian Maret Ani in the final, 7-6(6) 1-6 6-2. Enroute to the title she also knocked out Sabine Klaschka, Chanelle Scheepers, Maria Fernanda Alves and Michelle Larcher De Brito. The win was her 8th career ITF singles title, and is the last tournament where she lifted the champion's trophy.

Rossana has reached one ITF singles final this year, that came back in March where, as the top seed, she lost in the final of $25K Pelham to Raquel Kops-Jones. The Miami resident only has 35 more points to defend for the rest of the year, and is short listed for up-coming challenger events in $50K Ashland, Kentucky (September 22nd), and $50K Juarez, Mexico (September 29th).

Rossana will next take to the court on Thursday, with her next opponent being qualifier. She will face either Alexandra Podkolzina of Russia or Surina De Beer of South Africa. She has not played either before.

March 26, 2008.

MIAMI, FL: Rossana de los Rios has returned to the top 100 players in the world, following a closely-contested battle with Austrian Yvonne Meusburger today, which Rossana won under heroic circumstances. The match with Meusburger lasted an epic 2 hours and 47 minutes, 17 minutes longer than her match yesterday with Tanasugarn which lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes. Rossana started strongly, breaking Meusburger immediately to lead 2-0 in the opening set. However, in a game that went to four deuces, the Austrian broke back only to be broken again immediately by Rossana. Continuing the trend, Meusburger broke Rossana's serve again to trail 3-2 to the Paraguayan, who graced her way to a 5-2 lead. The 32-year-old broke again, to claim the first set in around 40 minutes.

In the second set, Rossana got off to a flying start once more, taking a demanding 6-2 *2-0. Later, the Paraguayan led *3-1, however this was a turning point in the match as the Austrian world #76 rallied her way back into the match, snatching two breaks in some very long, hard fought games to surge to a 4-2 lead. Nevertheless, Rossana regrouped immediately, and won a deuce game to take the score to 4-3 to the Austrian 24-year-old. At this moment Rossana secured another break of serve to tie up the set at 4-4, but Meusburger broke again in a deuce game and then served out the set in another deuce game, to claim it 6-4 and force a decider.  

In the final set, Rossana started confidently and impressively. She held her first two service games to 15, and then flowed to a very imposing 6-2 4-6 5-1 lead and served for the match. The Miami-resident then had a match point at 40-30, but nerves made her miss the opportunity and she was broken. Meusburger then saved another match point when De Los Rios served for the match again at 5-3, and showing some serious fighting spirit, was able to break Rossana's serve once more. However, this was the end of the road for Meusburger's mini-comebacks, as Rossana went to 0-40 on Meusburger's serve and finally claimed the match on her 4th match point. Rossana was victorious, 6-2 4-6 6-4.

The victory for Rossana secures her position inside the top 100! She fell out of the top 100 back in June, 2003, and constant injuries kept her out of action for most of 2005. The most serious of these was her knee injury which she obtained in February 2005, after Memphis, and didn't see her return until October 2005. In February 2006 her ranking dropped to as low as #486, but two consecutive finals in $50K Indian Harbour Beach and $25K Palm Beach Gardens in May boosted her confidence and lifted her ranking much higher. ITF titles for Rossana in $50K San Diego 2006, $25K Palm Beach Gardens 2007, $50K Mestre 2007 and $50K Albuquerque 2007 confirmed why she is the greatest Paraguayan tennis player of the century, and have helped her ranking sky rocket up over 286 positions in just over 2 years.

In the second round, Rossana will take on the challenge of the #22 seed, Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia. They faced off in the opening round of Cincinatti (Tier III) 2006, where Srebotnik won 6-3 7-6(3) despite Rossana serving for the second set at *5-3. Srebotnik went on to reach the final. Srebotnik is the #25 ranked player in the world.

Felicitaciones Rossana!! Asombroso!

Here are the statistics from today's match:

March 25, 2008.

Rossana de los Rios has surged into the main draw of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, Florida, with an impressive 6-4 7-6(5) victory over Tamarine Tanasugarn in the final round of qualifying. In a match that lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes, Rossana started very well and won the opening set 6-4 in a set that consisted of 5 breaks of serve in the 10 games played. In the second set however, it was Tanasugarn who came out all guns blazing, immediately breaking Rossana and showing why she has been as high as #19 in the world, the #84 from Thailand raced to a 5-1 lead. But that was the turning point in the set, for the Paraguayan baseliner once again dug deep and played the tennis that once saw her as high as #51 in the world, to spectacularly come from behind and level the set at 5-5. Rossana broke again to continue her purple patch, but as yesterday in the opening set against Jidkova, Rossana was broken as Tanasugarn forced a tiebreak. The 30-year-old Thai then continued the sudden change of momentum and powered her way to a 4-1 lead. But once again, Rossana showed her strong fighting spirit and courageous determination which saw her finesse her way to a 7-5 victory to claim the tiebreak, the set, the match and her position in the main draw.

It is the first time that Rossana has qualified for the main draw of a Tier I since Montréal, 2004. Her new ranking after her two victories this week in qualifying could see her ranking up to as high as #102. Rossana's current goal is to break inside the top 100 and she is ever so close in achieving that. Her first round opponent will be known later today, and a first round victory will ensure that her goal is achieved! Felicitaciones Rossana! 

Here are the statistics from today's match:

March 24, 2008.

Today Rossana advanced to the second round of qualifying in the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, following a 7-6(3) 7-5 victory over Russia's Alina Jidkova. Despite trailing 3-2 in her Head-to-Head against Jidkova, Rossana won the last occasion 6-4 6-2 last year in $50K Charlottesville. The first set today was very close, both players looking very solid on serve as the score reached 5-5 without a single break of serve. However, Rossana then turned it up a level and broke Jidkova for the first time and gained the opportunity to serve out the first set at 6-5. At 30-15 however, with the Paraguayan just two points from claiming the first set, Jidkova bravely fought backand played some impressive tennis to force a tiebreak. But Rossana regrouped and managed to secure the tiebreak relatively easily, winning it 7-3 and surging to a one set to love lead over the Russian in 55 minutes.

In the second set, Rossana gained three break point opportunities but the 31-year-old from Moscow was able to save all three and snatched an early break for herself to lead 3-1. Rossana later trailed 4-2, but was at that moment able to break back to level the set at 4-4. Serving at 30-0 however, Jidkova once again took charge and again broke De Los Rios's serve, helped by a double fault on break point by the Paraguayan. Nevertheless, the 32-year-old mother from Asunción once again remained calm and played some gritty tennis to break Jidkova immediately and in the process saved a set point to tie up the set at 5-5. Rossana then held to love, and broke Jidkova for the third time in a row to take the set, the match, and the victory in 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Tomorrow Rossana will take on the 5th seed in qualifying, Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn. Rossana has played Tanasugarn on four occasions, with both players winning two each. Rossana won their last meeting, 6-1 6-0 in $50K Lexington 2006. The winner of tomorrow's match will qualify for the main draw! Well done Rossana y buena suerte para mañana!

Here are the statistics for today's match:

March 10, 2008.

Playing in Indian Wells for the first time since 2003, Rossana won her first round of qualifying today against American wildcard Amber Liu, 6-3 6-3. After a closely fought opening set, which lasted 57 minutes and included six breaks of serve, Rossana moved through comfortably to the next round. In the second set, Rossana at one stage led 6-3 *3-1 but Liu fought back bravely to level the set at 3-3. However, Rossana's experience proved too great and despite missing a high percentage of break point opportunities, 65% to be exact, Rossana claimed victory by winning the second set in 41 minutes. The match statistics can be found below:

With the win, Rossana's ranking will jump from #117 to #108. Tomorrow the eleventh-seeded Rossana will take on the thirteenth-seeded Russian Evgeniya Rodina. The two have never met before. The winner will advance to the main draw.

Well done Rossana!

February 19, 2008.

Rossana is into the second round of the Tier III Bogotá tournament in Colombia, after upsetting fourth seed and world #55 Emilie Loit 7-5 6-3 in the opening round today. Rossana also competed in the qualifying event which started a few days ago. She easily defeated Czech Andrea Hlavackova 6-1 6-1 in the first round and in the second round she beat Maria Fernanda Alves for the second time in the last 12 months, the score being 6-4 6-3. However in the final round, Rossana lost to Argentinian Betina Jozami in a tight match, 4-6 6-4 6-4. Nevertheless, the tournament did not end for Rossana after Klara Zakopalova withdrew from the tournament due to injury, and Rossana was given the lucky loser position in the main draw. Her win today over Loit means that it is the highest ranked player Rossana has defeated since beating Francesca Schiavone in Bratislava 2002. It is also Rossana's first top 100 victory this year, her 3rd since 2004, and the 40th of her career.

The next opponent of the greatest tennis player Paraguay has ever produced, will be Spanish qualifier Nuria Llagostera Vives. The two have never met before. Last week Rossana scored her first WTA victory of 2008 by defeating Spanish qualifier Carla Suarez Navarro but lost in the second round to fourth seeded Pauline Parmentier. After winning the first set 7-6(0), Rossana had a break point to go 2-1 up against the Frenchwoman, but Rossana missed it and only won one more game after that, bowing out 6-7(0) 6-1 6-1.

Suerte Rossana!

February 12, 2008.

Viña Del Mar, Chile: Playing her first WTA main draw match for 2008, Rossana defeated Spanish qualifier Carla Suarez Navarro today, in a tight match, to claim her first main draw WTA victory since Philadelphia in November 2004. The Paraguayan #1 broke Suarez Navarro's serve in just the third game, to lead 2-1 with a break. But the Spaniard broke back and held her own serve to lead 3-2. It wasn't until 4-4 when the next break of serve occured, Rossana showing her 32 years of experience outmatched the 18 year old from Gran Canaria, breaking to serve for the first set at 5-4. Suarez Navarro broke back immediately, only to once again be broken by Rossana as the 32-year-old served for the first set again at 6-5. However, Suarez Navarro managed to secure the break back and the match went to a tiebreak. The tiebreak was locked at 5-5 before Suarez Navarro gained a set point. Rossana, playing very brave and impressive tennis, saved the set point as well as another one to claim the first set in just over an hour. In the second set, Rossana's confidence at claiming the first set in tight cicrumstances showed through her experienced clay-court strokes, as she flowed to a 5-2 lead. Despite a late fightback from Suarez Navarro, De Los Rios was able to serve out the match in style winning 7-6(8) 6-4. The victory sets up a second round battle with the #4 seed Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier. Rossana's match today lasted 121 minutes. Rossana was able to save 11/16 break point opportunities held against her, while she won 6/10 break point opportunities herself. Rossana's serve was very solid, serving just two double faults and her first serve percentage ending at 70%.

Rossana's last WTA main draw victory came when she defeated Meilen Tu 6-4 6-4 in the first round of Philadelphia 2004. Rossana lost in the next round to #2 seed Anastasia Myskina 6-4 7-6(0). Until now, she had competed in just six WTA tournaments (excluding Grand Slams). In just three of those- Quebec 2007, Acapulco 2007 and Cincinnati 2006- Rossana had played in the main draw, losing on all three occasions to Julia Vakulenko, Tathiana Garbin and Katarina Srebotnik respectively. She fell in qualifying in Memphis and Philadephia in 2005 and Los Angeles qualifying in 2006.

2008 for Rossana has been moderately successful so far. In January last month, Rossana played in Australia for the first time since January 2003. She competed in the qualifying for the Tier II Sydney tournament, where she defeated #115 Julia Schruff 6-3 4-6 6-3 in the first round. However, the world #49 Dominika Cibulkova defeated Rossana in the next round, 3-6 6-1 6-1. At the Australian Open qualifying event, Rossana easily defeated Chin-Wei Chan 6-1 6-1 in the opening round but was overcome by German Angelika Bachmann 1-6 6-3 6-0 in the next round.

A fortnight ago Rossana represented Paraguay at the 2008 Federation Cup in Medellin, Colombia. With Paraguay this year being promoted from the Americas Zone Group II to the Americas Zone Group 1, following their extremely impressive Fed Cup performance last year, Paraguay were placed in a group with Puerto Rico, Brazil and Uruguay. Unfortunately Paraguay were defeated 3-0 by Puerto Rico, Rossana losing her singles match to Vilmarie Castellvi 7-5 6-3. The following day, Paraguay were defeated 3-0 by Brazil as Rossana lost her singles match to Teliana Pereira 4-6 6-4 6-3. However, playing captain for Paraguay, Rossana picked up her level in the next tie against Uruguay as Rossana and Adriana Pereira defeated Uruguay 3-0. Rossana beat Maria-Eugenia Roca-Recarey 6-1 6-1 and Rossana and Adriana defeated the Uruguayan combination of Leticia Demichelli and Maria-Eugenia Torres 6-3 6-4 to complete the victory. Paraguay finished 3rd out of 4 in their group so they faced off with Mexico in the tie that would decide which nation would join Uruguay back in the Americas Zone Group II for 2009. Paraguay saved their best for last, with Rossana defeating Daniela Munoz Gallegos 6-0 6-3 and Adriana Pereira winning her singles to secure Paraguay's place in the Americas Zone Group 1 for 2009.     

Rossana will take to the court against Parmentier tomorrow. The two have never played each other before. Rossana's win today will see her ranking rise from #120 to #115. If she can defeat Parmentier, her ranking could be as high as #110. Rossana is also scheduled to compete in Bogotá and Acapulco within the next fortnight.

October 24, 2007.

Rossana will use her special entry from her victory in $75K Albuquerque to enter the main draw of the Tier III Tournament in Quebec, Canada. The tournament begins on October 29th. The tournament will be Rossana's second WTA tournament of 2007, after playing in Acapulco back in February but losing to second seed Tathiana Garbin 4-6 6-2 6-4 in the first round.

Recently, Rossana has achieved great success in her three tournaments after Albuquerque in the United States. She reached the second round of $50K Ashland, and then won her way to two back-to-back Quarterfinal appearances in $50K San Francisco and $50K Lawrenceville. In both tournaments, she won her first two rounds very convincingly, 62 61 and 63 63 in San Francisco, and 63 75 and 64 64 in Lawrenceville. However, Rossana endured a tough battle with Angela Haynes in San Francisco, and, despite winning the first set 60, lost the next two 64. The match lasted a few hours. Rossana's most recent loss was to Stephanie Dubois in Lawrenceville, with the scoreline being 57 75 62  in favour of the Canadian. A spectator reported that the match lasted almost 4 hours.

Rossana last played in Quebec City back in September 2002 and reached the second round. There, she beat Greta Arn 06 76(2) 76(4) but lost to sixth seed Alexandra Stevenson 61 64 in the next round. Rossana is currently ranked at #106 in the world, and she needs just 9 more WTA ranking points to re-enter the top 100, after more than a 4 year absence. Rossana just needs to win one match in the main draw and she will be back inside the top 100!

Vamos Rossana! Puedes hacerlo!

September 24, 2007.

Rossana captured her 3rd ITF title of 2007 today, defeating Estonian Maret Ani 7-6(6) 1-6 6-2 in the final! It is Rossana's 1st ITF victory on hardcourt this year, having captured $25K Palm Beach Gardens on clay in May, and $50K Mestre on clay a fortnight ago. The Asuncion born player advanced to the final after courageously prevailing in her semifinal match against 14-year-old Michelle Larcher De Brito, 7-5 3-6 7-5.

Rossana's ranking has now shot up to #114 (from #136), which is her highest ranking since July 2003. Rossana has stated that her goal for 2007 is to enter back inside the top 100 in the world, and now she is ever so close to achieving that goal.

Her win/loss record for 2007 is 41-17. $11,000 richer, Rossana now travels to $50K Ashland and will compete as the #5 seed. If she wins the title in Ashland, it is possible that her ranking will be back inside the top 100.

Felicitaciones Rossana!

September 22, 2007.

Rossana reached her 6th Semifinal of 2007 and her 34th of her career today with a straight forward victory over Brazilian Maria Fernanda Alves. Rossana, who celebrated her 32nd birthday last week, won the match 6-2 6-3 to set up a clash with 14-year-old prodigy Michelle Larcher De Brito from Portugal.

Earlier on in the $75K tournament, Rossana surpassed South African Chanelle Scheepers 6-3 6-1 in the second round, and survived a scare from German Carmen Klaschka where the Paraguayan mother was able to advance 6-3 2-6 7-5.

A fortnight ago, Rossana was victorious in $50K Mestre in Italy, where she captured her 7th career ITF title and her 2nd of 2007, after winning $25K Palm Beach Gardens in May. She lost just one set throughout the tournament, which was in the final, and played one of her best and most convincing tournaments in a long time.

Last week however, Rossana lost in the opening round of $100K Bordeaux to Ekaterina Bychkova. After winning the opening set against the 7th seeded Russian, Rossana was unable to take one of the next two sets and fell 1-6 6-4 6-3.

Rossana will take on Larcher De Brito tomorrow for a place in the final against either Canadian Marie Eve Pelletier or Estonian Maret Ani, who she played in the doubles competition with this week in Albuquerque. Rossana's ranking has now risen from #210 in May this year to #125 currently. Rossana has stated that her goal for 2007 is to regain a top 100 ranking and at the moment that is looking very promising.

Keep going Rossana!

July 7, 2007.

Rossana is doing great things in Italy at the moment. Last week, she recorded her second Semifinal appearance of 2007 in $25K Padova. She defeated two qualifiers- Story Tweedie-Yates and Josipa Bek, to reach the Quarterfinals where she beat Magda Mihalache 6-4 ret. before falling to the eventual champion Margalita Chaknashvili of Georgia, 7-5 6-1.

This week she travelled west to $50K+H Cuneo where she competed in both singles and doubles. On the first day, she lost her opening doubles match with her partner Edina Gallovits to the #2 seeds Kustava and Makarova 7-5 6-3. In a very strong field, Rossana drew Sandra Zahlavova in the first round. Zahlavova was a finalist at $25K Padova the week before and likewise to Rossana she lost to Chaknashvili in the final. Zahlavova had also beaten Rossana in February in the first round of $75K Midland 6-1 6-1. This time however, Rossana came out firing and played a great match to beat Zahlavova 6-2 6-1.

Her second round opponent was one who she was very familiar with, world number 73 and number one seed Edina Gallovits. Rossana and Edina had played three times earlier in the year, with Rossana winning the first encounter back in February 6-2 6-1 in $25K Palm Desert but Gallovits had won the previous two encounters, both times 6-2 6-2 in the consecutive Quarterfinals of $50K Charlottesville and $50K Indian Harbour Beach in May. Rossana and Edina also played three times last year with Gallovits winning the first two and Rossana winning the third, so the occasion this week in Cuneo marked the 7th time they had played each other in 14 months. This time, Edina played a solid first set to win it 6-2 before Rossana saved her best tennis till the end, winning a thrilling and tight match 2-6 6-4 7-5 to advance to the Quarterfinals.

Confident after causing the upset of the tournament, in her Quarterfinal match today Rossana upset sixth seed Andrea Petkovic, the world number 103. Rossana didn't have too much difficulty, powering to a relatively comfortable 6-2 6-4 victory. In her Semifinal match tomorrow she will face Argentina's Maria Emilia Salerni who is in strong form. Keep it up Rossana!

A fortnight ago in Wimbledon, Rossana fell in the second round of qualifying. In her first grass court match since 2003, Rossana beat Dariya Kustava 6-2 6-4 in the first round before losing at the hands of Anda Perianu in a tight match, 7-6(3)  2-6 7-5 after Rossana served for the match at 5-3 in the final set. Also in June, Rossana backed up her impressive Roland Garros performance with a Quarterfinal showing in $75K Prerov before falling to Sofia Arvidsson 6-4 6-1.

May 26, 2007.

Today Rossana qualified for the main draw of Roland Garros and will participate in her first grand slam main draw match since Wimbledon 2003 next week. Fresh from victory last week in $25K Palm Beach Gardens, Rossana easily defeated Violette Huck 6-3 6-1 to advance to the main draw.

Huck raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set, after winning numerous deuce games. Rossana then survived a break point to get on the board, and from there on surged to win the next five games and took the opening set 6-3. Rossana only lost one more game from there on, winning very easily and increasing her winning streak to 8 matches.

In the second round of qualifying, Rossana beat in form Czech Petra Cetkovska 6-2 6-3, and upset 14th seed Abigail Spears 6-4 6-3 in the first round.

It is unknown who Rossana will face in the main draw because a number of qualifying matches are yet to finish. On Saturday, May 26, the qualifying positions will be announced and Rossana will be told who she will compete against.

Rossana reached the 4th round of Roland Garros in 2000 as well as the 2nd round in 2001 and the 3rd round in 2002. The last time she competed at Roland Garros was in 2004 where she fell in the final qualifying round, and missed 2005 and 2006 due to injury and conflicting USTA tournaments at the same time.

Her new ranking should see her rise from #198 to inside the top #170 in the sonyericsson wtatour rankings.

May 20, 2007.

Today Rossana won her sixth ITF title of her career and her first of 2007 when she defeated former top ten player and #6 seed Brenda Schultz-McCarthy 7-5 6-4 in the final of $25K Palm Beach Gardens. Rossana takes home $2,940 and has commited to play the qualifying of Roland Garros for the first time since 2004. Enroute to the final, Rossana defeated Sunitha Rao in the opening round 6-2 6-1, qualifier Alexa Glatch 6-2 6-2 in the second round, Estefania Craciun 6-4 6-2 in the Quarterfinals and #4 seed Monique Adamczak 6-7(3) 6-2 6-3 in the Semifinals. Rossana reached the final in Palm Beach Gardens last year, so her 17 points for making the final are taken off this week, but she claims 25 points for winning, so all in all she gains 8 wta points which should see her ranking back inside the top 200. Well done to Rossana on a great week!!

April 22, 2007.

This week Rossana travelled to Montevideo, Uruguay, to compete for Paraguay in the Americas Zone II of Federation Cup. The event marked the first time since 1994 that Rossana has represented Paraguay in Federation Cup. Rossana continued her strong Fed Cup showings, increasing her Win/Loss Record in the competition to 17/4, and extended her Fed Cup singles winning streak to 9 consecutive wins. 

Paraguay was placed in Pool B amongst Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago, Bolivia and Barbados. Rossana teamed with fellow Paraguayans Veronica Cepede and Adriana Pereira, who are both junior Paraguayans. Rossana defeated Jessica Lehnhoff 6-2 6-2 as Paraguay started their 2007 Federation Cup campaign with a 2-1 defeat over Guatemala, claiming both singles matches in straight sets but losing the doubles in a tight encounter. The following day Paraguay defeated Bolivia 2-1 with Rossana defeating one of the top junior players in the world, Maria Fernanda Alvarez-Teran 6-0 6-2. Veronica Cepede also won her singles but the combination of Pereira and Cepede fell 8-6 in the final set to the Bolivian duo.

Paraguay then went on to wipe the floor with Barbados 3-0. Rossana did not compete in this tie, instead giving the opportunity and experience to her younger compatriots. In their final match of Pool B, Paraguay concluded with a strong 3-0 showing over Trinidad & Tobago. Rossana defeated Olivia Bennett 6-2 6-3 whilst Pereira won her singles match and later combined with Cepede to claim the doubles in three sets. Winning all four ties, Paraguay finished first out of five in Pool B. As a result, Paraguay would face the runner up of Pool A in a play-off to decide who would be promoted to the Americas Zone Group I in 2008. Veronica Cepede gave Paraguay the early 1-0 lead with a straight forward win in her singles. Rossana then found no difficulty in sealing the tie by defeating the young Ecuadorian Claudine Paulson 6-2 6-1. Although the Ecuadorian combination defeated the Cepede-Pereira duo, the tie was already sealed and Paraguay will compete in the Americas Zone I next year, alongside Uruguay (who was the other nation to be promoted), Puerto Rico, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

Rossana now heads back to the United States to compete in $50K Sea Island, starting April 23, followed by $50K Charlottesville which commences on April 30th.

December 3, 2006.

Rossana advanced to her second consecutive semifinal today, following an impressive 46 62 60 victory over German Sabine Klaschka in the Quarterfinals of the $50K Santaluz tournament in San Diego. In the second round, Rossana overcame her doubles partner this week, Story Tweedie Yates 26 62 62. Rossana will now take on New Zealand's Leanne Baker in the Semifinals, who has a big serve and forehand. Analysing by her results this year, Rossana has been able to defeat strong players like Baker with not too much difficulty. However, this week is the fourth time this year where she has reached the final four but on the previous three occasions she has been unable to take home the title. She is yet to win an ITF title since Buenos Aires 2 in 1999, so it's really now or never as this week appears to be her last event of the 2006 season. The win today will increase her ranking from #252 to approximately #237, and has dramatically helped her chances of making the Australian Open Qualification cut off very promising. Good luck Rossana!

November 29, 2006.

Continuing in what is her best form since May this year, Rossana notched up very impressive 6-2 6-2 win over world number 224 Neha Uberoi today, in the first round of the $50K Santaluz tournament in San Diego. In the past fortnight Rossana has jumped up the rankings from #282 to #262, and the win today should see her rise as high as #252. She must make the Semifinals at least this week to obtain a high enough ranking to enter the Australian Open in January next year. That should not be too much of a problem, judging by today's performance. Rossana will face either fifth seed Shiho Hisamatsu or her doubles partner this week, Story Tweedy-Yates in the second round. Neither players are in the same zone as Rossana, form-wise, and in the Quarterfinals and onward, her road does not appear to have too many hitches like it has in the past few tournaments. In her last tournament two weeks ago, Rossana completed in $50K Lawrenceville in what was probably her most impressive string of victories of the year, beating the world #91 Alexandra Wozniak, #171 Angela Haynes, and #110 Edina Gallovits all in straight sets. However, Rossana fell in the Semifinals to eighth seeded Stephanie Dubois 6-1 3-1 ret, after Rossana pulled a stomach muscle and was not fit to continue. The scoreline, however, was misleading as sources reported the first set was of high standard tennis and closely contested.

Keep going Rossana!

November 17, 2006.

Competing against the world number 91 and $75K Pittsburgh champion last week, Aleksandra Wozniak, Rossana fought her way to a very impressive 7-6 6-2 victory in the opening round of $50K Lawrenceville. Rossana won the opening set tiebreak 9-7 and ran away with the match in the second set. Her daughter and husband are reported to have been watching, and Rossana was very pleased with the win and her high standard of tennis. Because all play was washed out on Tuesday, Rossana had to play her second round match as well today, following the win. She was up against Angela Haynes, who she has played 5 times in the past 3 years. Rossana leads Haynes 3-2 in head to head, and today Rossana was leading her 6-1 2-0 before play was postponed. The match will resume tomorrow, and Rossana will be hoping to reach her first Quarterfinal since $50K Lexington in July. If Rossana defeats Haynes, she will have to play her Quarterfinal match tomorrow as well. She will take on the fourth seed Edina Gallovits, who beat her 6-4 6-0 in the first round of $25K Augusta last month, and went on to take the title. Gallovits also beat her in the final of $50K Indian Harbour Beach 3-6 7-6(6) 7-6(0) in May this year, after Rossana led 5-0 in the final set and had six match/championship points. However, with the way Rossana appears to be playing this week she is capable of getting some revenge! Good luck Roro.

November 15, 2006.

After a disappointing couple of weeks since the reaching the Quarterfinals in Lexington in July, Rossana heads to compete in the $50,000 tournament in Lawrenceville this week. Last week Rossana lost to a player ranked outside the top 900 in the world, 63 26 63, and she will be hoping to improve her stat of only having won one of her past five matches. She is currently scheduled to once again be the top seed in qualifying, unless a player from the main draw withdraws, which means Rossana would move into the main draw.

March 14, 2006.

After a string of three consecutive victories, Rossana has fallen short at the final round qualification in the prequalifying event in Miami. Rossana defeated impressive up-and-coming junior Jade Curtis 76 62 (Rossana's first tiebreak of 2006), then ousted Jackie Bohannon 64 75 before battling out a 26 64 75 defeat over Teodora Mircic, who was coming off a win over the fourth seed. However, Rossana fell just one match short of reaching the main qualifying event, suffering defeat at the hands of second seeded American Tiffany Dabek 64 61. Rossana now heads to $25K Redding, California where she is scheduled to compete in the qualification there on March 20th. Keep it going Rossana!

March 12, 2006.

After withdrawing from $75K Las Vegas, this week Rossana will compete in the NASDAQ 100-Open, Tier I Miami Pre-Qualifying event, starting March 13. Rossana is the sixth seed and will face American junior Magdalena Bresson in the first round. None of the other players in Rossana's quarter are in the top 800. Rossana will have to win 5 matches to qualify if she does so, will recieve a wild card in the qualification event. Best of luck Rossana!

26 February, 2006.

Rossana and her husband Gustavo Neffa were married on this day, 26/2/94. Congratulations to them! More good news- Rossana is going to use her 'special ranking' of #183 in Amelia Island, which means she will get priority and will compete in the qualifying there, starting April 3rd.

February 23, 2006.

On a three match losing streak, Rossana stepped it up a notch in $50K St Paul this week. She was the top seed in the qualification event and won three consecutive matches- beating Gjine 6-2 6-0, Moura 6-0 6-2, and promising American junior Whitney Taney 6-1 6-4. Rossana faced top 200 player, #7 seed Hanna Nooni in the first round of the main draw but fell 6-1 4-6 6-2. Nooni went on to beat the #2 seed and made the Semifinals so it was a good fight from Rossana. Next week Rossana will compete in $75K Las Vegas and she will have to qualify again. Good luck Rossana!

On February 19, Rossana competed in $25K Saguenay, Canada, but fell in the first round to a Canadian wildcard, Ekaterina Shulaeva 6-4 4-6 6-2. Shulaeva went on to reach the Quarterfinals.

Rossana competed in $75K Midland on February 12 but fell in the first round qualification to Olga Panova 6-1 3-6 6-3.

January 26, 2006.

After $25K Saguenay, Rossana will compete in $50K St. Paul starting Feb. 20th. Currently just sitting inside the top 500 in the WTAtour rankings, Rossana will need a solid performance. Rossana hasn't competed in a $50K since Houston in October 2005, where she lost to the eventual finalist Anda Perianu in the second round. Time for some success Rossana! Good luck!

January 24th, 2006.

After falling to the eventual champion Greta Arn in the final qualifying round 16 62 63 in Fort Walton Beach, Rossana will battle it out in $25K Saguenay starting February 13th. Rossana won't have to qualify even though her ranking is sitting just inside the top 400 at 396. Best of luck Rossana!!

January 18, 2006.

Rossana has fallen in the final round qualification to sixth seed Greta Arn of Germany. Rossana won the opening set easily, 6-1, but Arn fought back and Rossana lost the next two sets 6-2 and 6-3. It is unfortunate for Rossana because she needs more points to improve her ranking and she had an opportunity here. But still, Rossana managed to defeat Barbara Schwartz 6-4 6-2 in the second round qualification, so at least Rossana managed to get two wins under her belt for 2006. Rossana will be playing doubles with Argentina's Soledad Esperon. Best of luck Rossana and Soledad!

January 16, 2006.

Today Rossana won her first match of 2006 with a win over 32 year old, tenth seeded Bulgarian Svetlana Krivencheva. After a tight first set Rossana ran away with the match, prevailing 75 62 to set up a second round qualy match against fellow former top 100 player, Austrian Barbara Schwartz. Well done to Rossana and best of luck against Barbara!

January 15, 2006.

Rossana will face #10 seed Svetlana Krivencheva in the first round qualification in $25K Fort Walton Beach starting tomorrow (Jan 16). A win for Rossana would see her face Austrian Barbara Schwartz or Norweigan Nina Munch-Soegaard in the second round. Rossana beat Krivencheva in the first round of $50K Troy in 2004, 6-2 7-5 so hopefully we will see a repeat performance from the Paraguayan! Go Rossana!

January 17, 2006.

Whilst competing in $25K Fort Walton Beach, Rossana's daughter Ana Paula turns 9! Happy birthday to her!

Ana Paula pictured here with tennis legend Aranxta Sanchez Vicario in 2002.

January 15, 2006.

Rossana will compete in $25K Fort Walton Beach in Florida, USA. She will have to qualify! The qualifying begins on January 16- best of luck Rossana!