Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

The second time around was the charm for U.S. player Jennifer Brady at the Rock Hill Rocks Open professional women’s tennis tournament.

Brady, 20, defeated Andrea Gamiz, 22, of Venezuela 7-5 6-4 in the finals of the $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit event on Sunday afternoon at the Rock Hill Tennis Center.  The tournament sixth seed from Boca Raton, FL, used a powerful baseline stroke keep her opponent reaching.

It was the seventh year of the Rock Hill event.  Brady played in 2012, and she lost in the second round of qualifying.

“It was such a pleasure to play in the Rock Hill tennis tournament this week,” said Brady, who upset top seed Romina Oprandi of Switzerland in the semifinals.  “I appreciate all the support I received.”

The Pennsylvania native trained at the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton.  She played two years at UCLA (2013-14 and 2014-15) and turned pro in June of this year.

The Pro Circuit victory in Rock Hill was the second for the right hander, but her first as a professional.  Her amateur win came in 2014 at a $25,000 event in Redding, CA.

“I would also like to mention how well this event was organized,” said Brady, “and the number of spectators who came out to watch was fantastic.”

Brady played numerous tournaments across the country this year leading up to the Rock Hill Rocks Open.  She plans to take a week off at home before playing the $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event in Macon, GA, later this month.

In doubles action on Sunday, Ema Burgic Bucko of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Renata Zarazua of Mexico defeated Elitsa Kostova of Bulgaria and Florencia Mulinero of Argentina 7-5 6-2.  The final doubles match was completed before the final singles match.

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.