University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
Arkansas
Bulldogs Notch Third-Straight Shutout
April 07, 2017 | Women's Tennis
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. --- The second-ranked Georgia women's tennis team blanked its opponent for the third-consecutive match Friday night as they upended No. 19 Arkansas, 4-0, at the Georgia M. Billingsley Tennis Center.
The Bulldogs (15-3, 9-1 SEC) for the ninth-straight time gained the doubles point to head into singles with a 1-0 edge. In singles, Elena Christofi and Ellen Perez took care of business on the front two courts, before Caroline Brinson clinched the Georgia victory.
"They are never easy, but we were really tough and our doubles point was a good one again today," Georgia head coach Jeff Wallace said. "We are getting a lot of momentum going with the doubles. We come out with good energy and play well at the beginning. I think that sets the tone for the match."
For the second match in a row, the Bulldogs' 28th-ranked duo, Brinson and Perez, clinched the doubles point on court one. The 6-3 win over the Razorbacks' ranked tandem of Shannon Hudson and Giulia Pairone, No. 40, pushes Brinson/Perez to 6-3 at No. 1. Marta Gonzalez and Mariana Gould defeated Natsuho Arakawa and Leolia Jeanjean, 6-1, on court three to improve to 11-3 in dual play.
"After doubles, you have to settle into singles and battle and our players did a great job doing that," Wallace added. "CB [Caroline Brinson] closed it out for us today, played really good which is what a senior needs to do."
Georgia grabbed control early in singles play as the Bulldogs took four of the six first sets. Christofi, ranked No. 11 in ITA singles, ran through No. 77 Ana Oparenovic 6-2, 6-0 first at No. 2, extending her win streak to seven.
Shortly after, No. 28 Perez, a junior from Shellharbour, Australia, put Georgia up 3-0 after toppling Arkansas' top-ranked Shannon Hudson, No. 51, 6-2, 6-4 at court one. The 66th-ranked Brinson finished off Mia Jurasic 6-2, 6-2 on court four for the match-clincher, her second in a row.
The Bulldogs are riding an eight-match win streak and sit atop of the Southeastern Conference standings with top-ranked Florida and seventh-ranked Vanderbilt, all at 9-1. The Razorbacks fell to 14-8 overall and 4-6 in the SEC.
Georgia flies to Columbia, Mo. to conclude their regular season road schedule against No. 46 Missouri Sunday at 2 p.m.
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Tennis Match Results
Georgia vs Arkansas
Apr 07, 2017 at Fayetteville, Ark.
(George M. Billingsley Tennis Center)
#2 Georgia 4, #19 Arkansas 0
Singles competition
- #28 Ellen Perez (UGA) def. #51 Shannon Hudson (AR) 6-2, 6-4
- #11 Elena Christofi (UGA) def. #77 Ana Oparenovic (AR) 6-2, 6-0
- Leolia Jeanjean (AR) vs. #64 Kennedy Shaffer (UGA) 6-4, 3-4, unfinished
- #66 Caroline Brinson (UGA) def. Mia Jurasic (AR) 6-2, 6-2
- Giulia Pairone (AR) vs. Marta Gonzalez (UGA) 5-7, 5-3, unfinished
- Natsuho Arakawa (AR) vs. #112 Mariana Gould (UGA) 6-4, 3-6, unfinished
Doubles competition
- #20 Ellen Perez/Caroline Brinson (UGA) def. #40 Shannon Hudson/Giulia Pairone (AR) 6-3
- Ana Oparenovic/Mia Jurasic (AR) vs. #28 Elena Christofi/Kennedy Shaffer (UGA) 4-3, unfinished
- Marta Gonzalez/Mariana Gould (UGA) def. Leolia Jeanjean/Natsuho Arakawa (AR) 6-1
Match Notes:
Georgia 15-3 (9-1 SEC); National ranking #2
Arkansas 14-8 (4-6 SEC); National ranking #19
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (2,1,4)
Players Mentioned
