STARKVILLE – The first day of the third-annual John Cade Invitational is in the books with four Mississippi State standouts advancing to the quarterfinals of the singles’ main draw.
Dharani Niroshan, Jayna Clemens and Maria Rizzolo all earned singles’ victories on Friday to reach the quarterfinals round while Athina Pitta is moving on after receiving a first-round bye. Niroshan and partner Alessia Tagliente are also headed to doubles semifinals in the West bracket as part of a five-win day for the host Bulldogs.
Rizzolo won her match in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-3 against Lilly Schultz of North Texas. Niroshan took down Tiffani Nash of Louisiana Tech 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 while Clemens notched a victory versus Nformi Stadfany of North Texas 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.
That MSU trio along with Pitta will compete in Saturday’s quarterfinal round beginning at 11 a.m. at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre. Niroshan meets Louisville’s Lillian Mould and Clemens takes the court against Andrea Nova of Ole Miss in the Maroon draw. Rizzolo readies for Ana Rodrigues of Louisiana Tech while Pitta plays Louisville’s Lika Persypkina.
Niroshan and Tagliente will start things off on Saturday at 9 a.m. as they battle the Louisville duo of Ibifuro Clement and Elena Noguero in doubles.
Several other Bulldogs will also be in action on Saturday. Pitta and partner Alexandra Mikhailuk are pitted against Carolina Laydner and Stanislava Shulzhenko of North Texas while Rizzolo and Chloé Cirotte meet the Mean Green tandem of Lou Chalard and Olivia Malm. Both of those doubles matches also begin at 9 a.m.
Singles’ play on Saturday also features Ava Rath against Louisville’s Elena Noguero as well as Mikhailuk clashing with Clement. Those matches are slated for 11 a.m. starts inside the Rula Tennis Pavilion.
John Cade Invitational
A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre | Starkville, Miss.
Oct. 27, 2023
Doubles
East Round of 16
Kelsey Mize/Andrea Nova (Ole Miss) def. Jayna Clemens/Ava Rath (MSU) 8-5
Lilly Schultz/Nformi Stadfany (North Texas) def. Chloe Cirotte/Maria Rizzolo (MSU) 8-3
Berta Miret/Lilliam Mould (Louisville) def. Dharani Niroshan/Alessia Tagliente (MSU) 8-5
East Quarterfinals
Allie Gretkowski/Lika Persypkina (Louisville) def. Alexandra Mikhailuk/
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