PVE Native Advances at US Open National Playoffs

For Palos Verdes Estates native Macall Harkins, a dream of competing in the US Open is just three matches away.

Competing Thursday in the first round of the women’s singles event at the US Open National Playoffs at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., Harkins took control of the extended baseline rallies from the beginning of the match, easily advancing with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Petra Jurova of Slovakia. The winner of the event will receive a wildcard into the US Open qualifying tournament next week in New York City.

“I’m just trying to dictate with my serve and stay confident because having this opportunity [to play in the US Open] makes it a nerve-wracking experience,” Harkins said.

The only scare in the match for Harkins came at 3-3 in the second set, when a forehand winner from Jurova set up her only break point of the match. Harkins responded with a drop volley winner and two aces to keep the match on serve at 4-3.

A strong return of serve from Harkins that clipped the baseline gave her a 5-3 lead, but she failed to serve out the match. However, in the very next game, she fought off a game point that would level the match at 5-5 with a low slice backhand. Two points later, a double fault from Jurova wrapped up the match.

“We were having longer rallies in the second set and she was playing much better, so I think the score reflected that,” Harkins said.

Harkins turned pro in the summer of 2009 after a college career at Texas Christian University, where she was part of the top-10 ranked NCAA doubles teams. Since turning pro, she has won three singles and four doubles titles on the ITF pro circuit, the equivalent of the minor leagues in baseball. She is currently ranked No. 419 in singles and No. 238 in doubles.

Harkins spends her time training at the Home Depot Center in Carson. She also frequently practices with fellow pro-player Amanda Fink, of Calabasas.

“I mainly practice with guys because it’s just hard to find really good girls to practice with, so we’ll often meet halfway and train together somewhere,” Harkins said.

Although Harkins has enjoyed success as a pro, she said the experience of competing in the US Open would be a career highlight.

“It would mean the world to me,” Harkins said. “Growing up watching the US Open and being an American, having that experience would just be everything that I’ve been working towards.”