Perez-Somarriba Posts Comeback Win to Begin Play in Tulsa
By Alex Schwartz
HurricaneSports.com
Wednesday Result | Tuesday Recap | Monday Recap | Saturday Recap
TULSA, Okla. – After over eight hours of delays and a three-set match that lasted nearly three hours, reigning NCAA champion Estela Perez-Somarriba won her opening contest Wednesday at the ITA Women’s All-American Championships.
A senior on the University of Miami women’s tennis team, second-ranked Perez-Somarriba was the last player to earn a victory at LaFortune Tennis Center on the first day of main draw competition at one of the premier tournaments of the fall.
“Estela did a great job in managing her day and ending with a ‘W’ tonight,” Miami associate head coach Laura Vallverdu said.
Initially scheduled to take the court at 2 p.m. ET, top-seeded Perez-Somarriba did not do so until about 10:15 p.m. ET because of rain in the area.
Once action began, the Madrid native had to fight back from behind, after dropping her opening set to No. 46 Katarina Kozarov of Furman, 3-6. After winning the second set by an identical score to force a split, Perez-Somarriba needed 12 games to take the third and seal a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 decision at nearly 1 a.m. ET.
“We are continuing to work on some specifics that we believe will continue to help Estela grow as a tennis player,” Vallverdu said. “The good news is she is a sponge and is ready.”
Perez-Somarriba will return to action Thursday at 2 p.m. ET and take on either No. 32 Jessica Failla of Pepperdine or No. 73 Martina Okalova of Tulsa, as their first-round contest has yet to take place.
In addition to Perez-Somarriba, the rest of the top six seeds in the main draw are from the ACC, as are two more in the top 10. Just two players from outside the league earned a top-10 spot.
For more information on the ITA Women’s All-American Championships, including the full list of selections and draw sheets, click HERE.
To keep up with the University of Miami women’s tennis team on social media, follow @CanesWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
WEDNESDAY RESULT
Singles Main Draw – First Round
No. 2 [1] Estela Perez-Somarriba (UM) def. No. 46 Katarina Kozarov (FUR), 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
THURSDAY SCHEDULE
Singles Main Draw – Second Round
2 p.m. ET: No. 2 [1] Estela Perez-Somarriba vs. TBD
