Nov. 27, 2006
(Sally Milano, USTA.com)
Ashland, Ky., native Julie Ditty put up outstanding results last week while competing at the Gwinnett Sports Commission Women’s 50K in Lawrenceville, Ga.
The 27-year-old lefthander took home her sixth doubles title of the year at the tournament, teaming with partner Leanne Baker to defeat fourth-seeded Americans Christina Fusano and Aleke Tsoubanos, 7-6 (5), 6-4, for the championship. She also finished runner-up in singles, upsetting No. 2 seed Lilia Osterloh, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4, in the second round en route to the final, where she fell to No. 8 Stephanie Dubois, 6-3, 7-6 (6).
Ditty, who is now ranked 250th in the world in singles and 106th in doubles, has won a total of eight titles this year – two in singles ($10,000 Hilton Head, $10,000 Houston) and six in doubles ($50,000 Lawrenceville, $50,000 Houston, $50,000 Ashland, $75,000 Albuquerque, $50,000 Bronx, $50,000 St. Paul).
The former Vanderbilt All-American has captured a combined 25 USTA Pro Circuit titles during her career – five in singles and 20 in doubles – and is second on the all-time list only to Nana Miyagi, who has won 30 USTA championships. She began the year in fourth place with 17 but passed Lindsay Lee-Waters (21) and Lisa McShea (23).
