Rogers’ confidence, ranking on rise at Party Rock Open

Shelby Rogers knew she had the physical attributes. She knew time was on her side.

But did she trust herself on the tennis court?

The 19-year-old from Charleston, S.C., believes she has reached the point where she finally can trust her game, and she's proving it at the $50,000 Party Rock Open at Darling Tennis Center.

Rogers entered the event ranked No. 242 in the world but will move up several spots after her performance in Las Vegas. On Friday, she defeated Russian veteran Elena Bovina 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the semifinals against Adriana Perez at 4 p.m. today. Perez, who had to qualify to receive a spot in the field, outlasted Jessica Pegula, 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5).

In the other semifinal, Anastasia Rodionova and Lauren Davis will meet. The fourth-seeded Rodionova eliminated eighth-seeded Heidi El Tabakh 6-3, 6-7, 6-3, and the second-seeded Davis defeated seventh-seeded Mallory Burdette, 6-3, 7-5.

"I'm trusting my shots, and I'm finishing my points," Rogers said. "I've been serving well this week, and I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I'm just staying relaxed and having fun."

Rogers was accepted into the USTA development program a year ago. It meant moving to Boca Raton, Fla., and living on her own, but she said it was the best thing she ever did.

"It forced me to grow up and work hard," Rogers said. "I needed better competition, and I needed to get in better shape. Being in the development program allowed me to do both."

She started seeing positive results in July, when she won her first professional tournament in Yakima, Wash.

"That was a goal of mine, and to do it so early gave me more confidence," said Rogers, who turned pro in 2009 and is playing in Las Vegas for the third consecutive year. "Mentally, I've made the most progress. When I get in those big points, I know I can win them."

She also can come from behind. On Thursday, Rogers spotted Stephanie DuBois a 4-0 first-set lead and then rallied to win a tiebreaker en route to a 7-6, 6-4 win.

"I think the momentum from that match helped me (today)," she said. "I was trying to get used to playing in the stadium court; it's really big. But once I was able to get comfortable, I started playing better and finishing my points. I was definitely much more comfortable on the court."

She might have gotten too comfortable. Ahead 5-2 in the second set, Rogers saw her lead trimmed to 5-4 before she closed out Bovina with one final service break.

Today, she'll continue her quest to climb in the rankings.

"I've got three more tournaments after this, and I'm trying to get my ranking into the 100s," Rogers said. "If I can finish well here and play well the rest of the way, I think I have a good chance to get there."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.