Greenville, S.C. – South Carolina women’s tennis had a successful opening day at the Debbie Southern Furman Fall Classic in Greenville. The squad claimed a total of five wins on the day – three in doubles and two in singles.
The junior pair of Misa Malkin and Olympe Lancelot accounted for the first victory of the season, taking down Wake Forest’s Mia Ahmad and Whitley Pate in a dominating 8-1 decision. Later in their draw, the Gamecock duo defeated Furman’s Maeve Thornton and Grace Thomas in a close tiebreaker 8-7(3).
Two of South Carolina’s graduates also paired up in doubles for the tournament. Elise Mills and Shahar Biran got their season started in a significant way, taking down Clemson’s Sophia Hatton and Cristina Mayorova 8-5.
In singles, Mills claimed her second win of the day with a straight set victory. The Prosperity, S.C., native bested Georgia Tech’s Meera Jesudason 7-6(3), 6-3 to advance in her flight.
Lancelot was the other Gamecock to get a singles win, hers coming due to a retirement from her opponent just three games into the match. Lancelot now advances to the quarterfinals of her flight.
No. 106 Biran, Malkin, and freshman Anna Kantor each dropped their first singles matches of the season but will continue to the West portion of their draw with two more opportunities to compete.
The Furman Fall Classic will continue on Saturday with one round of doubles followed buy one round of singles beginning at 9 a.m.
For all the latest South Carolina women’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockWTennis).
Doubles Flight 2
Elise Mills/Shahar Biran (SC) def. Sophia Hatton/Cristina Mayorova (Clem) 8-5
Margeaux Maquet/Petra Sedlackova (Alabama) def. Elise Mills/Shahar Biran (SC) 8-3
Doubles Flight 3
Olympe Lancelot/Misa Malkin (SC) def. Mia Ahmad/Whitley Pate (WF) 8-1
Olympe Lancelot/Misa Malkin (SC) def. Maeve Thornton/Grace Thomas (Furman) 8-7(3)
Singles Flight 1
(10) Millie Rajecki (NCSU) def. (106) Shahar Biran (SC) 6-4, 6-4
Singles Flight 3
Brooke Killingsworth (WF) def. Misa Malkin (SC) 6-1, 1-6, 6-3
Singles Flight 7
Elise Mills (SC) def. Meera Jesudason (GT) 7-6(3), 6-3
Singles Flight 8
Gracie Epps (UGA) def. Anna Kantor (SC) 6-4, 6-2
Singles Flight 9
Olympe Lancelot (SC) def. Dharani Niroshan (Miss. St.) 1-2, ret.