The week commencing February 23rd 2009 sees Elena Bogdan from Craiova, Romania taking part in a $50,000 ITF Women’s Circuit tournament, held in the German city of Biberach, courtesy of the Junior Exempt Project. Bogdan, 16, will feature in the singles main draw alongside three WTA Top 100 players: Karin Knapp (61); Kristina Barrois (92) and 2004 Junior Exempt beneficiary Kirsten Flipkens (94).
Having finished 2008 ranked 4th in the ITF Junior Rankings, Bogdan is competing in her 15th tournament on the ITF Pro Circuit with her best finish to date coming in Bucharest in April 2008 where she finished as runner-up at a $10,000 tournament.
The ITF Women’s Circuit operates a Junior Exempt programme for Junior female players who obtain a top 10 end of year Junior ITF ranking. The programme offers the players places in the main draw at ITF Women's Circuit events.