AUBURN, AL – Florida tennis has completed day one of the Auburn Open and hopes to carry their momentum into Saturday’s round of 32. The Gators have proven to be successful at Auburn winning four of six singles matches and two of three doubles contests.
Those representing Florida at the Auburn open are: Malwina Rowinska, Qavia Lopez, Carly Briggs, Bente Spee, Sara Dahlstrom, and Sophie Williams.
On day one of the singles bracket, Sara Dahlstrom, Sophie Williams, and Malwina Rowinska all took their opponents into three sets fighting to earn their spot in the next round of play. Dahlstrom’s three set match started with an extensive first going into a seven-point set tiebreaker. Dahlstrom pulled ahead immediately to take the first set tiebreak 7-1. Auburn fought back to take the second set 2-6, but it was Dahlstrom who defeated host player Kaitlyn Carnicella (Auburn) 7-6, 2-6, 6-3.
Sophie Williams’ three set thriller looked similar, winning her first set and falling in the second to Ava Esposito Cogan of Auburn. The third and final set went back and forth between the two SEC teams reaching a set tiebreaker to determine who will move on to Saturday’s draw. Williams ultimately pulled out a victory in the third set tiebreaker to claim the match at 6-2, 3-6, 7(9)- 6(7).
Freshman powerhouse, Malwina Rowinska also went into three sets, facing Auburn’s Ali DeSpain. After losing her first set in a tiebreaker at 6(4)-7(7), Rowinska began to settle into the match, digging deeper each game to claim the next two sets 6-4, 7-6 in an all out battle. Carly Briggs had a smoother first round draw cruising past her opponent, DJ Bennett (Auburn) 6-1, 6-3.
Qavia Lopez and Bente Spee both fell short to Auburn based players on day one of the singles draw. Lopez played Selin Ovunc, falling 6-1, 6-1 and Spee faced Adeline Flach, losing 6-2, 7-5. Lopez and Spee redeemed themselves as partners in the doubles category, defeating Loudmilla Bencheikh/ Margaux Maquet (Alabama) 7-5.
Malwina Rowinska and Sophie Williams also won their doubles court, defeating Daniella Alamo and Kate Zink (Penn State) 6-2. Sara Dahlstrom and Carly Briggs played in the doubles draw as well but fell short to Furman’s Sara Isabel Snyder and Maeve Thornton 6-4.
Head Coach Roland Thornqvsit comments, “we handled ourselves really well in tight spots and found ways to win close three set matches in singles. Our freshmen got an idea of what spring will be like and how to compete against top…
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