Black Tennis Pros

Birthday girl Mashona Washington threw up her arms and let out a loud scream when the final ball finally sailed out. There was reason to celebrate: Washington would be spending the rest of her big day preparing for the women's final at the $50,000 USTA East West Bank Classic Pro Challenger.

"I did not want to lose on my birthday," said Washington, who turned 32 on Saturday. "After my first two matches in qualifying everything else was a bonus. I've just been trying to put matches together."

Houston's Washington went straight to the trainer's table after her 7-6 (5), 6-2, semifinal win over fourth-seeded Anna Tatishvili. She came back with ice on her surgically repaired left knee. "It's feeling pretty good," she said. "I actually had to get some treatment on my back. It's been sore since Monday. I don't know if it's the softness of the beds here or what. But I have been getting some great sleeps."

Washington will play No. 2 seed Alexa Glatch, an 18-year-old from Newport Beach in today's 10 a.m. final.

UPDATE: Mashona defeated Alexa Glatch 7-5, 6-5 to take the championship. Work it girl!!