Three members of the University of Florida women’s tennis team competed on Day 1 of the Freeman Memorial Championships at the Fertitta Tennis Complex on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus.
Alex Cercone and Olivia Janowicz each were victorious in the first round of singles play but fell in the round of 16. In the first round of doubles play, Cercone and Janowicz worked together to down North Carolina’s Shinann Featherston and Lauren McHale, 8-6.
Cercone, the 41st-ranked player in the country, overpowered Arizona State’s Nicole Smith, 6-2,6-2, but in the next round fell to Stanford’s Stacey Tan, 6-4, 6-2.
Janowicz triumphed over UCLA’s Carling Seguso, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. In the following round, she had a tough loss against North Carolina’s 44th-ranked Zoe De Bruycker, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
“It was great tennis for Olivia, Zoe was just better today and you tip your hat to her,” UF coach Roland Thornqvist noted.
Caroline Hitimana fell against Southern California’s 18th-ranked Sabrina Santamaria, 6-3, 6-4. Hitimana had a bye in the singles consolation bracket.
Play continues at 10 a.m. PST on Saturday with doubles matches. The finals will be Sunday.
Freeman Memorial Championships
Fertitta Tennis Complex, Las Vegas
Friday, January 13, 2012
UF Results Only
Singles, First Round (round of 32)
Alex Cercone (41), UF d. Nicole Smith, Arizona State 6-2, 6-2
Olivia Janowicz, UF d. Carling Seguso, UCLA 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
Sabrina Santamaria (18), Southern California d. Carolina Hitimana, UF 6-3, 6-3
Singles, Second Round (round of 16)
Stacey Tan, Stanford d. Alex Cercone (41), UF 6-4, 6-2.
Zoe De Bruycker (44), UNC d. Olivia Janowicz, UF 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
Doubles, First Round (round of 16)
Alex Cercone/Olivia Janowicz, UF d. Shinann Featherston/Lauren McHale, UNC 8-6
SCHEDULE OF PLAY (Times PST)
Saturday
Doubles Quarterfinals – 10 a.m.
Singles Quarterfinals – To follow
Singles Semifinals – To follow
Sunday
Doubles Semifinals – 10 a.m.
Doubles Final – To follow
Singles Final – To follow
Gator Country reporter Sara Ladwig can be reached at sladwig@gatorcountry.com