Youth prevailed at the RBC Bank Women's Challenger tennis tournament on Sunday in Raleigh.  

On the day before her 19th birthday, Johanna Konta of Australia
defeated fifth-seeded veteran Lindsay Lee-Waters of Dunwoody, Ga., 6-2,
5-7, 6-4 to take the championship of the $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event
hosted by the North Hills Club.

The day belonged to the youngsters at the $50,000 RBC Bank Women's Challenger tennis tournament on Saturday at the North Hills Club in Raleigh.

Kids Day saw two busloads of children from area Boys & Girls Clubs
arrive for tennis clinics, food and fun, and it also saw a young
Australia-born player, Johanna Konta, play her way into Sunday's
championship match, defeating Mirjana Lucic of Croatia 6-2, 6-4.

Melissa Kandinata of Cary overcame nerves but couldn't overcome a
veteran player as the 15-year-old made her debut in the world of
professional tennis on Tuesday in Raleigh.

Kandinata, who was the event's local wild-card entry, lost to USTA Pro
Circuit veteran Tetiana Luzhanska, 26, of Ukraine, 6-0, 6-2, in their
first-round match in the $50,000 RBC Bank Women's Challenger at the
North Hills Club, according to an event news release.

Teenager Lauren Herring's bid to gain a spot in RBC Bank Women’s
Challenger, the professional tennis tournament, in Raleigh this week
ended in the second round of qualifying on Monday.

The 16-year-old from Greenville made a challenge but was eliminated in
three sets by Tiffany Welford of Australia, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, on the clay
courts at the North Hills Club.

Another area contender will make her debut today. Green Hope High
School junior Melissa Kandinata, 15, who is the local wild-card
recipient in the main draw, will play in her first-round match at 1
p.m. against Tetiana Luzhanska of Ukraine.

Recreational tennis players who learn by watching get a great chance to
pick up some tips watching an international field of Women's Tennis
Association players this week as the USTA Pro Circuit's RBC Bank Women’s Challenger is played at the North Hills Club.

Lauren Herring of Greenville is among 32 players trying to play their
way into the $50,000 pro event. Herring took the first step toward
qualifying for the 32-player main singles draw when she won her
first-round qualifying match Sunday in Raleigh.

Herring defeated fellow American Elizabeth Ferris 6-0 6-3 on the clay
courts at the North Raleigh tennis facility, where the main tournament
starts at 10 a.m. Tuesday.