THE FLATS – It’s been a busy summer for the Georgia Tech women’s tennis team as several Jackets are competing around the country and internationally.
RETURNERS AT HOME AND ABROAD
Sophomore Nami Otsuka captured the singles title at the ITA Summer Circuit Event in Murfreesboro, Tenn., last week. The Norcross, Ga., native upended three opponents to claim the title, two coming in straight sets. Otsuka opened the tournament with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Ally Miller-Krasilnikov before holding on for a 7-5, 1-6, 10-7 win over Emily Smith to reach the championship. Otsuka dropped just five games in the title match against Anna Bright to take home the trophy.
Senior Paige Hourigan has joined the New Zealand Federation Cup Team. She is joined on the team by Erin Routliffe and Joanna Carswell as the three will represent New Zealand in the Asia/Oceania Group 2 ITF Fed Cup. The team is preparing to play Kazakhstan at the Fed Cup event in Dushanbe, Tajikistan which begins July 17. New Zealand has not sent a team to the Fed Cup since 2014. The tournament consists of a round robin format with two singles matches and one doubles match. The 13 nations that comprise the A/O Group 2 are divided into four pools with pool play running Tuesday through Thursday. The winners of each pool will play-off against another pool winner to determine which two nations are promoted to Asia/Oceania Zone Group I in 2018.
NEWCOMERS POCKETING TITLES
Already victorious this summer, incoming freshman Victoria Flores has reached the main draw at Junior Championships, Wimbledon after picking up a pair of qualifying wins. The Fort Dodge, Iowa native defeated Joanna Garland and Malene Helgo in the qualifying draw and enters the main draw next week in both singles and doubles.
Another incoming freshman, Ida Jarlskog won the doubles title at the ITF 25K event in her hometown of Lund, Sweden. Partnered with Sweden’s Fanny Ostlund, the duo defeated four opponents to claim the title on clay.
