Perez-Somarriba Impresses at Macon $80K
By Alex Schwartz
HurricaneSports.com
MACON, Ga. – Estela Perez-Somarriba of the University of Miami women’s tennis team turned in a stellar performance competing as an amateur this week in the Macon $80K.
The senior earned a pair of wins to advance out of the qualifying draw at the Leroy Peddy Tennis Center, including winning a rematch of the 2019 national championship.
“This was a great opportunity for Estela to get experience at the next level,” Miami head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “She’ll have another shot shortly to test these waters again and I’m confident that she will only continue to progress.”
Monday, in her first outing, Perez-Somarriba faced the fourth seed in the qualifying draw, Anastasia Nefedova, an American who is ranked No. 547 in the world. Perez-Somarriba cruised to victory, tallying a 6-1, 6-1 decision.
The tournament-opening win set up a rematch of last season’s NCAA Singles Championship title match, which Perez-Somarriba won in three sets. This time, the Madrid native needed just two to defeat Katarina Jokic of Serbia in a 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 decision.
Perez-Somarriba fought off seven set points in Tuesday’s opener, en route to the victory. Not only was the contest another go-around of the NCAA final, it also pitted the top-ranked (Jokic) and second-ranked (Perez-Somarriba) players in the ITA collegiate rankings.
Wednesday, in main draw action, Perez-Somarriba put up a valiant effort against Caroline Dolehide, an American ranked No. 166 in the world. However, she dropped a narrow 5-7, 4-6 decision to the tournament’s seventh seed.
Perez-Somarriba will compete in her second and final ITF circuit tournament next week when she travels to Texas for the Tyler $80K, set to begin Oct. 28.
To keep up with the University of Miami women’s tennis team on social media, follow @CanesWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
RESULTS
Monday: Singles Qualifying Draw – First Round
Estela Perez-Somarriba def. No. 547 [4] Anastasia Nefedova, 6-1, 6-1
Tuesday: Singles Qualifying Draw – Second Round
Estela Perez-Somarriba def. Katarina Jokic, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4
Wednesday: Singles Main Draw – First Round
No. 166 [7] Caroline Dolehide def. Estela Perez-Somarriba, 7-5, 6-4
