Vallverdu Advances in Consolation Round at Riviera
Oct. 9, 2009
Pacific Palisades, Calif. – Sixth-ranked Laura Vallverdu took a 6-2, 6-4 victory over 17th ranked Maria Sanchez (Southern California) on Friday in the first round of the consolation singles draw as part of the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships in Pacific Palisades, Calif. The event is taking place at the Riviera Tennis Club.
A day after falling to UNC’s Sanaz Marand (No. 12) in main draw singles, Vallverdu–a three-time All-American for the Hurricanes, stormed back in her second match of the annual event. The Valencia, Venezuela native defeated USC’s first flight player in straight-sets, pulling her record for the year even at 2-2.
Friday’s victory upped Vallverdu’s record to 3-1 lifetime against opponents from the University of Southern California. Her last victory was a thrilling three-set decision (6-3, 5-7, 6-3) over No. 49 Gabriela Niculescu in the Round of 32 at the 2008 NCAA Singles Championships in Tulsa, Okla.
“Laura [Vallverdu] played really solid and consistent this morning,” stated UM assistant coach Jeff Thomsen afterwards. “She really cleaned up her game and exploited Sanchez’s weaknesses.”
Vallverdu will next face UCLA’s Yasmin Schnack, ranked No. 11, later Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. (EST).
Last year, Vallverdu helped the Hurricanes collect a 4-2 win over UCLA that featured Schnack as the Bruins’ top player in the Round of 16 at the NCAA Championships in College Station, Texas. Vallverdu’s 6-1, 6-1 triumph over then- No. 57 Andrea Remynse was instrumental in flight two action for the `Canes, advancing them to their second Elite Eight appearance in three years under head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews.
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