Achong Falls in Milwaukee Tennis Classic Finale
By Alex Schwartz
HurricaneSports.com
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ELM GROVE, Wis. – For the second time in three years, a member of the University of Miami women’s tennis team competed in the Milwaukee Tennis Classic singles main draw championship.
Sophomore Daevenia Achong fell one win short of giving the Hurricanes a second title since 2017, dropping a 6-7 (5-7), 4-6 decision to USC’s Angela Kulikov at the Western Racquet Club.
“It’s tough to lose a close one in the finals like this, but this tournament was definitely one of the stronger ones I’ve seen this time of year,” Miami head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “It was simply a matter of a few points in this one. Daev picked up some solid wins and we move forward.”
Achong, ranked No. 80 and seeded fifth, came back from 4-5 and 5-6 deficits, including fighting off a set point, to force a tiebreaker in the opening set. Once there, she came up just short against Kulikov, ranked No. 50 and seeded No. 13.
In the second set, Achong fell into a 2-5 hole, but staved off a match point and then held to pull within 4-5. Kulikov, however, sealed the title in the next game to earn the 6-7 (5-7), 4-6 victory and claim the tournament crown.
Kulikov also narrowly edged Miami freshman Selma Cadar, 7-5, 2-6, 6-2, in the semifinals Sunday afternoon, as both Hurricanes in the field went all the way to the semifinals.
“I’m proud of Daev and Selma’s [play in this] tournament,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “I’m super excited where we are this early in the season.”
Miami will be back in action this weekend, with four players going to Orlando, Fla., for the USTA Ranked Spotlight and three others traveling to Williamsburg, Va., for the ITA Hall of Fame Classic.
To keep up with the University of Miami women’s tennis team on social media, follow @CanesWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
MONDAY RESULT
Singles Main Draw – Final
No. 50 [13] Angela Kulikov (USC) def. No. 80 [5] Daevenia Achong (UM), 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
