Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9408020051
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But while Brandi's 5-foot-7, 130-pound stature appears solid, it's not overwhelming. At 1 p.m. today, she meets the giant-killer, 19-year-old Keiko Nagatomi from Japan.
Brandi, 17, and Nagatomi will play in the singles finals of the USTA Women's Circuit of Roanoke at Hunting Hills Country Club.
Nagatomi entered the tournament unseeded and ranked 516th in the world. She completely dismantled the event's No.1 seed, Claudine Toleafoa, 6-2, 6-0 in Saturday's first match.
In contests earlier in the week, Nagatomi derailed the No.3 seed, Karin Miller, 6-1, 6-1, and the No.6. seed, Petra Gaspar, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
``I'm so happy,'' said Nagatomi, who speaks limited English. ``Roanoke's very good.''
Brandi, the No.2 seed, trounced Aarthi Venkatesan 6-0, 6-2 in Saturday's second semifinal. Brandi has not lost a set in four matches, and only Jennifer Callen, who lost to Brandi on Thursday 6-1, 6-3, has won three games in a set against her.
Brandi and Nagatomi have never played singles, but they faced one another in doubles four weeks ago in Indianapolis. They were scheduled to play again in the Roanoke tournament's doubles semifinals Saturday night.
``[Nagatomi's] got to be a good player,'' Brandi said. ``There's no doubt about that. Tomorrow should be a good match. I didn't get to see her play [Saturday], because I was practicing. Her match was over so fast.''
Playing in a baseball cap and reflector sunglasses, Nagatomi was difficult to recognize against Toleafoa. But her pinpoint ball placement and her ability to cover the court were familiar to spectators who have watched her this week.
``She played well, and she's got the game to get to me,'' said Toleafoa, who offered few excuses for the thrashing.
Toleafoa, 24, has been ranked as high as 121st in the world. After a two-year break from competitive tennis, she is making a comeback this season and is ranked No.345.
``My game's not very good at the moment,'' said Toleafoa, who had not dropped a Roanoke tournament set until Saturday. ``I played in patches now and then, but this is just my fifth tournament back.''
Toleafoa lost the final nine games against Nagatomi. Three times, she double faulted the last two points of a game.
In the second match, Brandi was just as dominant as Nagatomi.
``She's just too good. She never misses,'' Venkatesan said. ``I played a lot of matches this week, and I guess I was just too excited to play. I was a little too anxious.''
Venkatesan, 17, finished second in the qualifying tournament and completed the week with seven wins in nine matches. But she was overmatched against Brandi.
Brandi won the first set in 26 minutes; the second lasted 29. When Venkatesan won her only two games, she gave the crowd a mock bow.
``I played much better today,'' said Brandi, who was displeased with her performance in Friday's quarterfinal. ``I was more aggressive.''
The tournament's doubles championship will be played today immediately after the singles match.
Keywords:
TENNIS
by CNB