Asia Muhammad is in the process of turning pro.

The Las Vegas teenager is preparing to close the book on her amateur career and is competing in this week's $75,000 ITF Mirage Cup at the Tennis Channel Open.

The women begin play at 10 a.m. today and Muhammad is expected to play her first match Tuesday.

Muhammad, 15, who has played for Team Agassi at the tennis legend's Boys and Girls Club, is making her professional debut in her hometown thanks to a wild-card entry from the tournament's organizers.

She lost in the first round of qualifying for this event last year.

"I'm very excited about the future," Muhammad said Sunday. "I thought this is the right time (to go pro).

"I was really nervous last year because it was my first time playing against pros and it was in front of my home crowd. I think my game is maturing. I'm not making as many errors and I'm able to do more things on the court."

She will retain her amateur status for now as she will not accept any prize money she wins at the Mirage Cup other than expenses.

The winner of the 32-player event receives $11,400.

Muhammad is coached by Tim Blenkiron, who has coached her during her time with Team Agassi.

She plans to compete in the SuperNationals next month in Alabama and plans to play for the U.S. Junior Federation Cup team in May. By summer, Muhammad hopes to be playing exclusively pro events.

"I think I'm ready," she said.

* GINEPRI OUT -- American star Robby Ginepri pulled out of the Tennis Channel Open Sunday, citing personal reasons.

The 24-year-old from Georgia was seeded ninth in the main draw. Jan Hernych has replaced Ginepri in his round- robin group. which includes Benjamin Becker and whoever wins today's match between veteran Gustavo Kuerten and Wesley Moodie.

* QUALIFYING -- Chile's Paul Capdeville qualified for the main draw elimination by defeating American Zack Fleishman Sunday, 6-4, 6-3. Britain's Alex Bogdanovic also advanced with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Serbia's Elia Bozoljac.

In the other two qualifying matches, Thailand's Danai Udomchoke defeated Paraguay's Ramon Delgado 6-2, 6-0 and Moodie beat Chris Guccione of Australia 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (4). However, Guccione was given a "lucky loser" spot in the field after Ginepri withdrew.

All four qualifying winners will be in action today as they try to play their way into the round robin.

The first main draw match Sunday saw Evgeny Korolev of Russia defeat American Amer Delic 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to earn the first round robin spot. Korolev joins James Blake and Juan Martin Del Potro in Group 1 and Korolev will face Del Potro today on Court 10 in that group's first round-robin match.

* TV -- Daily television coverage of the tournament begins tonight at 6. The matches can be seen on Cable 96 as well as Cable 315.

The schedule for Tuesday through Friday will have television coverage from noon to 2:30 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.

Saturday's semifinals in both singles and doubles will air beginning at noon with coverage of Sunday's three championship matches (women's final, men's doubles and men's singles) also airing at noon.