Lohan Tops No. 34 Johanson in California
By Alex Schwartz
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – The University of Miami women’s tennis team’s two representatives at the Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships split their matches on the opening day of main draw play.
Eighth-ranked and seventh-seeded Sinead Lohan posted a straight-set victory, while No. 11 Estela Perez-Somarriba fell in three sets to the top-ranked player in the country Thursday at the Riviera Tennis Club.
Perez-Somarriba began by taking on the top seed in the draw, UCLA’s Ena Shibahara, in a matchup of two of the seven freshmen nationally to earn ITA All-America status in singles last year.
The Miami sophomore won the first set in a narrow tiebreaker, but dropped the next two and ended up on the short end of a 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 3-6 result.
“Estela’s match was high-level tennis from both sides. The differences were small and she gets that,” Vallverdu said. “Credit to [Shibahara of] UCLA for completing the match. I’m looking forward to seeing [Estela] come out tomorrow and compete hard.”
Lohan turned in an impressive performance against No. 34 Rosie Johanson of Virginia to move to 9-2 all-time in Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships play.
The senior from Waterford, Ireland, upped her fall record to 8-0, including 4-0 versus top-65 opponents, with a 6-4, 6-2 triumph.
“Sinead played a tough and smart match when needed,” Miami associate head coach Laura Vallverdu said. “I am happy to see her hungry for every point, keeping things simple and organized.”
Lohan will take on No. 25 Jessica Livianu of St. John’s in the second round Friday at 1:45 p.m. ET. She downed the Red Storm standout last year, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1, in the back draw semifinals of the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships.
Perez-Somarriba will continue play in the Golden State by facing ninth-ranked Alizee Michaud of Auburn, the fourth seed in the back draw, Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
To keep up with the University of Miami women’s tennis team on social media, follow @CanesWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
THURSDAY RESULTS
Main Draw — Round of 32
No. 1 [1] Ena Shibahara (UCLA) def. No. 11 Estela Perez-Somarriba (UM), 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-3
No. 8 [7] Sinead Lohan (UM) def. No. 34 Rosie Johanson (VA), 6-4, 6-2
FRIDAY SCHEDULE
Main Draw — Round of 16
1:45 p.m.: No. 8 [7] Sinead Lohan (UM) vs. No. 25 Jessica Livanu (STJ)
Back Draw — Round of 16
3:30 p.m.: No. 11 Estela Perez-Somarriba (UM) vs. No. 9 Alizee Michaud (AU)
