University of Georgia Athletics
Bulldogs Dominate on Second Day of ITA Southeast Regional Championships
October 21, 2023 | Women's Tennis
Gainesville, Fla. — The Georgia women's tennis team produced a dominant display with nine wins on the second day of the ITA Southeast Regional Championships on Friday.
The morning opened up with doubles play as the Bulldogs grabbed two wins to open main draw action in the round of 32. The first pairing of juniors Mai Nirundorn and Guillermina Grant faced off against Sophia Biolay and Jantje Tilbuerger (UCF). Competing as the tournament No. 1 seed in a pro set format, the Georgia duo wasted no time building momentum as they made quick work in an 8-3 victory. The second duo of freshman Aysegul Mert and sophomore Anastasiia Lopata were slotted against Laura Putz and Millie Bissett (Florida State). The tandem opened play as the No. 8 seed as they carried a strong start all throughout the match as they closed out the match for an 8-3 win.
The Bulldogs did not slow down in singles action as four of five players won their respective round of 64 matchups with three winning their ensuing round of 32 matches to record seven total wins. The first singles victory of the day for the Bulldogs came courtesy of No. 16 Nirundorn completing a three-set comeback against Xinyi Nong (Miami). After dropping a close 6-4 first set, Nirundorn rebounded with a more convincing 6-2 second set win to level the match at one set apiece. Narrowing down to a deciding third set, Nirundorn produced a battle-tested performance which saw her secure the final set at 7-5 to win the match 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
Seeded at No. 14, Mert shortly followed up with her victory against Maelie Monfils (Florida State). Mert cruised to a 6-3 first set win before a late effort from Monfils swayed the second set opposite at 7-5 to level the match. Heading into the third set, Mert held control early and managed to pull ahead before securing the 6-4 third set to win the match 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Freshman Gracie Epps began her main draw action with a match against Magdalena Hedrzak (Stetson). Epps pushed early to try to regain some ground in the first set, but Hedrzak held on to secure the first set 6-3. Fighting to level the match, Epps fell short of sparking momentum as Hedrzak secured the match 6-3, 6-2.
Competing as the No. 7 seed, Lopata faced off against Antonia Balzert (Miami) in her first round of 64 matchup. In the first set, Lopata won several games but ultimately dropped the set 6-3. Momentum shifted and Lopata produced a tight lead before she secured the second set at 7-5. Heading into the third set, it was all Lopata as she dominated to complete the 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 comeback and advance to Saturday's action.
Grant rounded out the five Bulldogs competing in the singles round of 64 as she faced off against No. 13 Leonie Schuknecht (Miami). Through two sets, Grant breezed past Schuknecht as she never looked back en route to a 6-1, 6-1 victory.
In the round of 32, three Bulldogs prevailed and secured wins to pull through into Saturday's round of 16 action. The first victory of the round came after No. 14 seed Mert faced off against Audrey Boch-Collins (Miami). Mert pulled ahead early and remained in control to start the match with a 6-3 first set win. Boch-Collins applied the pressure late in the second set, but Mert's late match heroics completed the 6-3, 6-4 straight set victory.
No. 7 seed Lopata took part in the most competitive match for any Bulldog on the day as she faced Katerina Mandelikova (FIU). The match proved to be a battle on both ends of the court as each set required a tiebreaker. In the first set, Lopata pushed the score to 5-5 before closing out the final two points to earn a one set lead. In the second tiebreaker, Lopata jumped out to a faster start as she capitalized on the momentum and capped off the match 7-6(5), 7-6(2).
Coming off a straight set win in the previous round, Grant continued her dominant run against Maria Paredes (Georgia State). Despite allowing both sets to reach a tight 5-4 score line, Grant pulled through in crunch time to secure back-to-back straight set victories with a 6-4, 6-4 win against Paredes.
No. 16 seed Nirundorn wrapped up the Bulldogs' round of 32 action after facing off against Annabelle Davis (North Florida). Both players found success in the first set as they forced a tiebreaker which leaned opposite 7-6(5). Nirundorn held her own in the second set as she forced the score to 5-4 before falling short against Davis 7-6(5), 6-4.
ITA SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Date: Thursday, Oct. 19 through Monday, Oct. 23
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Venue: Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
Live Video: https://bit.ly/403aqCx
Live Stats: https://bit.ly/45G2DvR
Singles Results: Main Draw Round of 64
[16] Mai Nirundorn (UGA) def. Xinyi Nong (Miami) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
[14] Aysegul Mert (UGA) def. Maelie Monfils (Florida State) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
Magdalena Hedrzak (Stetson) def. Gracie Epps (UGA) 6-3, 6-2
[7] Anastasiia Lopata (UGA) def. Antonia Balzert (Miami) 3-6, 7-5, 6-0
Guillermina Grant (UGA) def. [13] Leonie Schuknecht (Miami) 6-1, 6-1
Singles Results: Main Draw Round of 32
[14] Aysegul Mert (UGA) def. Audrey Boch-Collins (Miami) 6-3, 6-4
[7] Anastasiia Lopata (UGA) def. Katerina Mandelikova (FIU) 7-6(5), 7-6(2)
Guillermina Grant (UGA) def. Maria Paredes (Georgia State) 6-4, 6-4
Annabelle Davis (North Florida) def. [16] Mai Nirundorn (UGA) 7-6(5), 6-4
Doubles Results: Main Draw Round of 32
Mai Nirundorn/Guillermina Grant (UGA) def. Sophia Biolay/Jantje Tilbuerger (UCF) 8-3
Aysegul Mert/Anastasiia Lopata (UGA) def. Laura Putz and Millie Bissett (Florida State) 8-3
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA Women's Tennis on X @UGAWomensTennis, on Instagram @UGAWomensTennis, and on Facebook @GeorgiaWomensTennis or check out information online at GeorgiaDogs.com.
