Amanmuradova is the highest ranked played in the US$50,000 USTA event, currently standing at No. 93 in the world. This is the third straight year that Amanmuradova has reached a top 100 world ranking.

The event, sponsored by local musician and tennis enthusiast Boyd Tinsley of the Dave Mathews Band, has attracted several Charlottesville favorites back to this year’s action. Among the entrants in this year’s field are several familiar names, including former champion Carly Gullickson, along with former finalists Varvara Lepchenko and Olga Puchkova.

Alexa Glatch, who competed in her first professional tournament here as a 14-year-old, returns along with Americans Angela Haynes, Lilia Osterloh and Ahsha Rolle. South Africa’s Chanelle Scheepers and Paraguay’s Rosana de los Rios will also return to battle for the Tinsley title.

de los Rios is ranked No. 105 in the world, while Glatch has fought her way to the No. 111 ranking.

Action in this year’s event begins Sunday at Boar’s Head with the qualifying round, which continues into Monday. The main draw gets underway on Tuesday, 28 April, with play continuing through the championship on Sunday, 3 May.

Amanmuradova, who will be 25 this June, is a strong, right-hander. Standing 6-foot-3, 163 pounds, she has collected nearly half a million dollars in prize money over her career, which began in 2000.

She owns a career singles record of 181 wins and 123 losses, but is 4-8 thus far in 2009, which has garnered her US$54,444. She also owns a career doubles record of 128-90.

Amanmuradova reached the second round of the Australian Open this year, the second time she has advanced to the second round of that tournament. She has also reached the second round of the French Open twice since 2007 and has competed in the U.S. Open and Wimbledon.