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Menlo girl in 'Aces' tourney

Elena Van Linge, 12, of Menlo Park is the only participant from California selected to compete in the Longines Future Tennis Aces U.S. qualifying tournament to be held Saturday, April 14, at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow, New York.

The tennis event will feature 16 of the top female junior tennis athletes (ages 10-12) in the U.S. taking part in a one-day qualifying tournament, with the winner earning a trip to Paris, France.

In Paris the winners from 16 countries will compete in a championship event June 7-9. The two world finalists will then have the right to play against tennis legend Steffi Graf on the clay courts of Roland Garros just prior to the French Open women's final.

All the players who qualify for the Roland Garros tournament will have the opportunity to attend the French Open women's final on June 9.

The grand prize is financing for the winner's tennis equipment until her 16th birthday.

Elena was chosen among 20 of the top ranked female junior players in Northern California. Athletes were selected on their performance and commitment to give back to the community. Each submitted a 300-word essay on philanthropy that was voted on by a panel of judges, including Ms. Graf.

In November, Elena won a fastest serve contest beating out 20 others, with tennis great Andre Agassi looking on. Both Mr. Agassi and his wife, Steffi Graf, are spokesmen for Longines, the Swiss watchmaker. The event, held at Stanford Shopping Center, was presented by Shreve & Co.