Bears Rout Wildcats – California Golden Bears Athletics

Cal senior Valentina Ivanov clinched in singles and (with Haley Giavara) in doubles against the Wildcats,

BERKELEY – The California women’s tennis team continued its strong weekend at home against the Arizona schools as the 42nd-ranked Golden Bears routed No. 44 Arizona, 7-0, on Saturday afternoon at the Hellman Tennis Complex. Cal senior Valentina Ivanov defeated Lexi Ryngler in straight sets to earn her first clinching win of the season.
 
“We’re glad to get another home win, another conference win and another ranked win under our belt,” Cal head coach Amanda Augustus said. “We competed from start to finish really well, and it was great to see how we closed out the last couple matches.”
 
The Bears’ record, including a 6-1 win over No. 26 Arizona State on Saturday, improved to 7-6 (4-2 Pac-12). Arizona is 14-9 (2-4).
 
Ivanov, who missed a portion of the season due to injury, paired with fellow senior Haley Giavara to win in doubles, as the veterans bested Arizona’s Salma Ziouti and Reece Carter, 6-1. The two Bears, who have been doubles partners many times through the years – including in the 2021 NCAA Doubles Championship – are unbeaten at 4-0 so far this season.
 
“We’re just having so much fun playing together,” Ivanov said. “We’re enjoying it, and hopefully we can keep it up moving forward.”
 
Erin Richardson and Berta Passola Folch secured the doubles point for the Bears when they beat Midori Castillo-Meza and Belen Nevehoven, 6-3.
 
Cal posted straight-set wins in five of the six singles matches. Giavara had a convincing 6-1, 6-0 win over Ziouti and Katja Wiersholm followed by beating Castillo-Meza, 6-1, 6-3, to give the Bears a 3-0 lead. Ivanov defeated Ryngler 6-2, 6-3 to clinch with Cal up 4-0 and to claim her first dual-match win and first Pac-12 win of the season.
 
“I’m just so happy to get the win and get the clinch,” Ivanov said. “It’s my fourth singles match back, and I’ve had a lot of close matches. I’ve been working on my game and building it, and today it all came together. I’m just happy to be playing again.”
 
“She’s getting better every match, and she’s worked really hard not only to get back on the court but to be successful and contribute to the team in singles and doubles,” Augustus said. “It’s exciting to see her clinch today.”
 
Jessica…