Redbirds Conclude Day One of Redbird Duals

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The weather might have been chilly and windy outside, but for Illinois State women's tennis, the Redbird Duals got off to a strong start Saturday. The 'Birds hosted players from Eastern Illinois, SEMO, and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

"I'm really happy with how we battled today in a lot of challenging matches," ISU head coach Maja Kovacek said. "Tomorrow will be a great opportunity to see how far out doubles game has come this fall."

The day got underway for ISU with doubles action as all three 'Birds pairing would garner a victory over their respective opponents from EIU.

Nevena Kolarevic and Elena Jankulovska picked up a 6-0 decision over EIU's Perez-Korinko/Pilipovicv-Kljajic. Meanwhile, Tara Damnjanovic and Tijana Zlatanovic were back to their winning ways, claiming a 6-3 result over the Panthers' Bukraba-Ulanova/Gows. Finally, Silvia Pomarolli and Alexandra Abyasova were 6-0 victors over EIU's Ellis/Steven as the day shifted to singles action.

In singles, Kolarevic would pick up a 6-3, 6-0 win over SEMO's Calinescu. Other wins for ISU over SEMO in singles came from Abyasova (6-4, 6-2) and Jankulovska (7-6 (6), 6-4). Unfortunately, the 'Birds would drop their other four matches against the Redhawks.

Meanwhile in singles action against UWM, it was a near perfect sweep as only two matches were dropped by the Redbirds. Pomarolli would respond and win 6-3, 6-4 over UWM's Simonova. Kolarevic picked up another singles win, this time 6-2, 6-2 over UWM's Konieva.

Other singles results against UWM included Zlatanovic gathering a 6-4, 3-0 ret. win. Finally, for ISU, the 'Birds would see a 2-6, 6-2, 10-4 win for Abyasova and 6-3, 6-1 win for Jankulovska over the Panthers to end the day.  

The second day of the Redbird Duals will begin Sunday at 9 a.m. with doubles action before singles action gets underway at 11 a.m. from the Evergreen Racquet Club.

Day 1 Results

Doubles
Kolarevic/Jankulovska (ISU) def. Perez-Korinko/Pilipovic-Kljajic (EIU) 6-0

Damnjanovic/Zlatanovic (ISU) def. Bukraba-Ulanova/Gouws (EIU) 6-3

Pomarolli/Abyasova (ISU) def. Ellis/Steven (EIU) 6-0

Singles
Lai (SEMO) def. Pomarolli (ISU) 6-3, 7-6 (2)

Kolarevic (ISU) def. Calinescu (SEMO) 6-3, 6-0

Tarajova (SEMO) def. Zlatanovic (ISU) 6-3, 6-1

Abyasova (ISU) def. Hlacikova (SEMO) 6-4, 6-2

Shikanova (SEMO) def. Damnjanovic (ISU) 7-6 (6), 6-3

Jankulovska (ISU) def. Velkoska (SEMO) 7-6 (6), 6-4

Valeeva (SEMO) def. Limparis (ISU) 6-1, 6-3

Pomarolli (ISU) def. Simonova (UWM) 6-3, 6-4

Kolarevic (ISU) def. Konieva (UWM) 6-2, 6-2

Zlatanovic (ISU) def. Stejskalova (UWM) 6-4, 3-0, ret.

Abyasova (ISU) def. Burgersdijk (UWM) 2-6, 6-2, 10-4

Tylek (UWM) def. Damnjanovic (ISU) 6-4, 1-6, 10-8

Jankulovska (ISU) def. Shields (UWM) 6-3, 6-1

Ma-Ajong (UWM) def. Poleksic (ISU) 7-5, 6-1

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