The University of Minnesota women's tennis team opened its 2003-04 season today with the First Annual Gopher Invitational at the Baseline Center. All Golden Gophers in action today won their first-round matches. The Gopher Invite continues through Sunday.

In the "David Wheaton" bracket, senior Amy Thomas (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park HS) opened her season with a resounding 6-1, 6-0 win over Alexis Watson of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Two Golden Gophers were victorious in the "Kevin Garnett" bracket. Freshman Lindsay Risebrough (Edina, Minn./Edina HS) made quick work of UWGB's Kristin Leeder, 6-0, 6-1. Senior Brandi Watts (Monument, Colo./Lewis-Palmer HS) shook off a 3-6 opening-set with sets of 6-0, 6-1 to avoid the upset to UWGB's Amber Murdock.

In second-round doubles action, Risebrough and Watts dispatched of Cheen Alkhatib and Rebekah Thomas of Drake, 8-5, to advance to the "Prince" bracket semifinals.

The First Annual Gopher Invitational includes Denver, Drake, Gustavus Adolphus, Iowa State, Illinois-Chicago, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Check gophersports.com all weekend for complete results from the Gopher Invitational. Match times are subject to change based on weather conditions.