ALL-AMERICAN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS : Scott Ousted in First Round

Danielle Scott summed it up best in the third set of her 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 loss to Melissa Harris Thursday in a first-round match at the Riviera All-American Championships: “This is the hardest day in my life. Nothing is going my way.”

Scott, an Arizona senior and a Corona del Mar High graduate, was seeded third for this tournament, one of four annually comprising the college grand slam. But her lofty status worked against her.

“It’s hard for a top player to play someone like me,” said Harris, a Notre Dame junior ranked 31st on the preseason Volvo Tennis/Collegiate Rankings and who had to win three qualifying matches to reach the main draw. “I had everything to gain, and she had everything to lose. I went for shots that maybe I shouldn’t have if I was playing someone behind me.”

Scott trailed, 5-3, in the first set, held serve in the eighth game, faced double set point before breaking Harris in the ninth, and won the next two games for the set. Scott rallied from a 5-1 second set deficit, won the next four games to tie the set, had her serve broken in the 11th game, but broke Harris at love in the 12th, forcing a tiebreaker.

Scott was serving and held match point at 6-5, but Harris hit a backhand winner, Scott double faulted and then hit a forehand long, giving Harris the set.

Both players held serve starting the third set, before Harris won the next four games for a 5-1 lead.

“I just didn’t put it together,” said Scott, ranked sixth. “I had my chance and blew it. I was just flat. Today was not my day.”