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Dec. 18, 2003

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.

Former University of Tennessee tennis star Vilmarie Castellvi has earned a position to participate in qualifying play for the Australian Open, one of professional tennis' four Grand Slam tournaments.

The qualifying draw features 64 competitors and will take place over Jan. 15-17, 2004. Eight individuals will emerge from qualifying play to earn in a spot in the 128-player main draw, which runs from Jan. 19-Feb. 1.

The tournament takes place in Melbourne, Australia, and has been one of tennis' Grand Slam events since 1905. The U.S. Open, Wimbledon and the French Open comprise the three other Grand Slam tourneys.

Castellvi, who turned pro in June following her graduation from UT, has climbed rapidly to a current position of 218th in the WTA Rankings. She won her first professional tournament at a $25,000 International Tennis Federation tour stop in Mexico City last October.