Brian Vahaly

==Brian Vahaly== is one of America's top ATP players, who are attempting to bring greatness back to American tennis after the departure of tennis legends Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, etc.

Brian Vahaly was born July 19, 1979 in Camden, New Jersey. He began playing tennis at age two with his parents Barry and Karen. As a junior, Brian captured the Easter Bowl 18's title and reached the final of the Coffee Bowl in Costa Rica (l. to Massu) in 1997. His best junior Grand Slam result was the QF at Wimbledon that same year, where he finished No. 17 in the world junior rankings.

He proceeded to play four years of collegiate tennis at Univ. of Virginia from 1998-2001, where he earned All-American honors three years and finished as the school's all-time winningest player. In 2001, Brian reached the singles final at the NCAA Championships, but lost to Matias Boeker of Georgia, which ended a 20-match winning streak. He lost in the doubles SF (w/Huntley Montgomery) but finished as the country's No. 1 player in doubles (34-8) and No. 5 in singles (40-6). Brian became school's first tennis All-America in 1999 and during the previous season was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of Year after posting a 21-10 record as a freshman. In his last two seasons he received ACC Player of Year honors and as a senior was named the Virginia Male Athlete of Year.

In 2003, the American enjoyed a breakthrough season on the ATP circuit, winning a career-high 12 matches and reaching his first SF. Also Brian made his Grand Slam debuts at the Australian Open and at Roland Garros, as well as first appearances at Tennis Masters Series tournaments.