CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois State women's tennis team got off to a great start at the highly competitive ITA Midwest Regionals on Friday hosted by Illinois, with a pair of Redbirds advancing to Saturday's Round of 32 in singles action. Full results are available on the ITA website.
"It was a good day out there for us today," said head coach Maja Kovacek. "We had a lot of competitive matches and picked up some good wins. Alex and Tijana had to dig deep for their three-set wins to continue in the main draw."
Sophomore Tijana Zlatanovic took down Maddie Yergler of DePaul (5-7, 6-3, 6-3) to secure a spot in Saturday's third round after drawing a bye in the first round.
Junior Alexandra Abyasova won her first round matchup against Toledo's Julia Kuszynski (0-6, 6-3, 6-3) and proceeded to get the win over Alina Mukhortova of Wisconsin (6-2, 1-6, 7-6(2)) to survive and advance to Saturday's singles slate.
Elena Jankulovska, Laura Fitzgerald and Othilia Brodin all recorded wins over their opponents in the opening round before falling in the Round of 64.
All four doubles teams will be in action tomorrow after Othilia Brodin/Laura Fitzgerald defeated a duo from Eastern Michigan (8-2) and the pair of Maria Potsi/Tijana Zlatanovic took down a team from Valparaiso (8-1). Penelope Abreu/Tara Damnjanovic and Alexandra Abyasova/Elena Jankulovska each received a first round bye.
The 18-team ITA Midwest Regional field features top players from Illinois, Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan, Wisconsin, Toledo, Northwestern, DePaul, Northern Illinois, Colorado State, Michigan State, Ohio State, UIC, Valparaiso, Marquette, Bowling Green, Eastern Illinois, Michigan and the Redbirds.
DAY 1 RESULTS
SINGLES
ROUND OF 128
Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU), BYE
Alexandra Abyasova (ISU) def. Julia Kuszynski (Toledo) 0-6, 6-3, 6-3
Calista Fuller (Chicago State) def. Tara Damnjanovic (ISU) 7-5, 6-4
Elena Jankulovska (ISU) def. Claire Czerwonka (Valpo) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
Penelope Abreu (ISU), BYE
Laura Fitzgerald (ISU) def. Lizi Morgoshia (Chicago State) 6-2, 6-1
Othilia Brodin (ISU) def. Hannah Neuman (Bowling Green) 6-1, 6-3
Maria Potsi (ISU), BYE
ROUND OF 64
Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU) def. Maddie Yergler (DePaul) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
Alexandra Abyasova (ISU) def. Alina Mukhortova (Wisconsin) 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(2)
Hannah McColgan (Northwestern) def. Elena Jankulovska (ISU) 6-4, 6-0
Yashna Yellayi (Notre Dame) def. Penelope Abreu (ISU) 6-4, 6-3
Nibedita Ghosh (Notre Dame) def. Laura Fitzgerald (ISU) 6-4, 6-0
Ashley Yeah (Illinois) def. Othilia Brodin (ISU) 6-1, 6-0
Shalini Tallamraju (Toledo) def. Maria Potsi (ISU) [med]
DOUBLES
ROUND OF 64
Penelope Abreu/Tara Damnjanovic (ISU), BYE
Alexandra Abyasova/Elena Jankulovska (ISU), BYE
Othilia Brodin/Laura Fitzgerald (ISU) def. Prena Vichare/Sabina Brichackova (Eastern Michigan), 8-2
Maria Potsi/Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU) def. Allison McConnell/Demi Jahveri (Valparaiso), 8-1
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