Nicholson, Sharabura Advance at ITA All-Americans – Women’s Tennis — Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

CARY, N.C. – Scarlett Nicholson and Kate Sharabura pocketed a straight-set doubles win in the opening round of the qualifying draw on Monday at the ITA All-Americans. Georgia Tech women’s tennis had two doubles teams and a singles competitor in action at the Cary Tennis Park.

Georgia Tech picked up its first win of the day in doubles as Sharabura and Nicholson cruised to a straight-set decision over Dartmouth’s Michela Moore and Peyton Capuano. The Yellow Jackets gained control of the first set early, jumping out with a 3-0 lead before the Big Green got on the scoreboard. Tech extended its lead to 5-1 and sealed the set lead, 6-3. The second set mirrored the first with the Jackets coming out strong, going up a break early at 2-1. With a hold to setup a 4-2 tally, the Jackets broke to extend their advantage to 5-2. Nicholson had a chance to serve out the match in the next game, but was broken. However, Dartmouth’s rally was short-lived as the Jackets closed out the win, 6-3, 6-3, to advance to the round of 16 on Tuesday.

Also representing Tech in doubles was Alejandra Cruz and Given Roach. After advancing out of the pre-qualifying draw from the weekend, Cruz and Roach faced a tough opponent in the No. 28-ranked UCLA duo of Ahmani Guichard and Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer. The Jackets battled against the Bruins, but fell, 6-1, 6-1.

Tech’s lone participant in the singles qualifying draw, Sharabura took the court early this morning against No. 79 Ekaterina Khayrutdinova of Florida International. The Yellow Jacket pocketed a challenging first set, 7-5, but Khayrutdinova gained momentum early in the second set and evened the match with a 6-2 set. Sharabura battled to the final point in the deciding set. Trailing 2-5, Sharabura earned back a break to setup a 3-5 tally and erased a couple match points in the next service game, but couldn’t hold on, dropping the match on a deuce point, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3.

The final rounds of qualifying action take place on Tuesday with Nicholson and Sharabura looking to secure a main draw doubles position. Consolation action will also take place for both singles and doubles.

RESULTS
No. 79 Ekaterina Khayrutdinova (FIU) def. No. 117 Kate Sharabura (GT) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3
No. 28 Ahmani Guichard/Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer (UCLA) [4] def. No. 88 Alejandra Cruz/Given Roach (GT) 6-1, 6-1
No. 39 Kate Sharabura/Scarlett Nicholson (GT) def. Michela Moore/Peyton Capuano (Dartmouth) 6-3, 6-3

Tuesday Schedule of Play
No. 39 Kate Sharabura/Scarlett…