DAY, OSUIGWE AND GAUFF ADVANCE TO THIRD ROUND AT
USTA BILLIE JEAN KING GIRLS’ 18s NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Top 16s Seed Gianna Pielet Moves into 4th Round at Barnes Tennis Center
SAN DIEGO – (August 6, 2018) – The top three seeds at the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships advanced to the third round with impressive straight-set victories on a warm, sunny day at the Barnes Tennis Center.
Top-seeded Kayla Day of Santa Barbara, Calif., took one-hour and 26 minutes to dismiss Neha Velaga of Colmar, Pa., 6-1, 6-2 on Stadium Court. After winning the first set in 40 minutes, Day served for the match at 5-1 in the second set.
However, Velaga scored her only service break of the match breaking Day to make the score 5-2. The top seed quickly rebounded and broke Velaga to close out the match.
“In the beginning I was just trying to find my range. My point construction isn’t as good as I want it to be, but in the end, I was able to construct some better points and play some good tennis,” said Day, who will face unseeded Esther Lovato of Austin, Texas in a third-round match at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
Second-seeded Whitney Osuigwe of Bradenton, Fla., also advanced as she defeated Blessing Nwaozuzu of Beachwood, Ohio, 6-1, 6-0. She will take on Anessa Lee of San Marino, Calif., on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
Fourteen-year old Cori Gauff of Delray Beach, Fla., moved into the Girls’ 18s third round with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Nicole Conard, Boca Raton, Fla. Gauff, the No. 3 seed, is scheduled to play 33rd seed Nicole Mossmer of La Jolla, Calif., on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Kayla Day
Day has been hampered by a bone bruise and strained ligament in her right foot this year, which not only limited the number of matches she has played, but also her practice time as well.
“I was out for a couple of months. I really couldn’t do much. I’m happy to be back. It’s a great tournament to come back to after an injury. It feels really good,” said Day, a former champion who won the 18s singles title in 2016.
“Honestly, I haven’t played many matches this year. I haven’t had that great of a year and I’ve been injured, so I was hoping to get some matches against some really good competition,” she added. “Obviously if you win it, there is a nice prize (US Open wild card) at the end.”
The 18-year old Day, who has been ranked as high as No. 122 in the Women’s Tennis Association singles rankings said winning this week’s 18s National title won’t be easy.
“Every match is tough. It’s a really long tournament. I have to make sure to stay calm and be in the moment. I haven’t been able to practice that much,” Day said. “The girl that normally wins this tournament isn’t necessarily the one that plays the best, but the one that competes and fights for every point.”
In the Girls’ 16s division, top-seeded Gianna Pielet continued her strong singles play as the 16-year old from El Paso, Texas moved into the fourth-round after defeating 33rd seeded Sophia Fornaris of Pinecrest, Fla., 6-4, 6-1.
This past April, the USTA renamed the USTA Girls’ 16s & 18s National Championships to honor tennis icon Billie Jean King, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. King is scheduled to attend the final two days of the tournament.
All tournament matches played on Stadium Court at the Barnes Tennis Center are streamed live on the tournament website through Friday, August 10. The link is available at www.ustagirlsnationals.com/
The Tennis Channel broadcast schedule for the final two days of the tournament will be as follows:
Saturday, August 11 Girl’s 18s Singles Semifinals – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT (2 to 6 p.m. EDT) Girl’s 16s Singles Final – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. PDT (7:30 to 9:30 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, August 12 Girl’s 18s Singles Final – 1 to 3 p.m. PDT (4 to 6 p.m. EDT)
Over 400 of the top junior tennis players in the country, aged 16 and 18 and under, are competing for the title of National Champion, as well as a wild card entry into the Women’s Singles main draw of the 2018 US Open (for the 18s Champion) and a wild card into the 2018 US Open Junior Championships (for the 16s Champion). The 18s Doubles Champions will also receive a wild card into the US Open Women’s Doubles main draw.
The updated starting times for each day of the tournament will be as follows:
Tuesday, August 7 through Sunday, August 12 — 9 a.m. (Starting times subject to change)
Early-round tournament matches are also being played at San Diego State University’s Aztec Tennis Center, 5375 Remington Rd., San Diego, CA, 92115 through Tuesday, Aug. 7, and the Balboa Tennis Club, 2221 Morley Field Drive, San Diego, CA 92104 through Wednesday, Aug. 8.
Admission and on-site parking at the Barnes Tennis Center is free each day of the tournament. For fans watching matches at SDSU and the Balboa Tennis Club, admission is free. There is a nominal charge for on-campus parking at SDSU. Parking regulations at the university will be strictly enforced. Parking is free at the Balboa Tennis Club.
About USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s & 18s Nationals The USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s & 18s National Championships are the premiere hard court tennis tournaments for amateur and professional American girls aged 18 and 16 and under in the United States. In 2010, both age groups began playing their events concurrently at San Diego’s Barnes Tennis Center. Tournament participants, who represent nearly every state in the United States, have been endorsed by their respective USTA Section or have received USTA special exemptions based on their results in qualifying tournaments, junior rankings, or results on the WTA Tour or International Tennis Federation Junior Circuit. Past tournament champions include Chris Evert, Tracy Austin, Andrea Jaeger, Zina Garrison, Mary Jo Fernandez, Jennifer Capriati and Lindsay Davenport.
About George E. Barnes Family Junior Tennis Center The Center is owned and operated by Youth Tennis San Diego. It was built in 1995 and completed in 1997. The $4.5 million junior tennis facility was made possible with generous public and private donations and is named after the lead donor family – the “George E. Barnes Family Junior Tennis Center.” The Center, which is dedicated to the youth of San Diego, offers children 18 and under court priority over adults with advanced reservations.
About Youth Tennis San Diego Youth Tennis San Diego is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that has been in existence since 1952. In 2016, Youth Tennis San Diego was recognized with the USTA Organization Member of the Year Award. The award is given annually to an organization that provides outstanding service to its members and to the local community. YTSD was honored at the 2016 USTA Annual Meeting and Conference at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.
The
Cori Gauff
DAY, OSUIGWE AND GAUFF ADVANCE TO THIRD ROUND AT
USTA BILLIE JEAN KING GIRLS’ 18s NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Top 16s Seed Gianna Pielet Moves into 4th Round at Barnes Tennis Center
SAN DIEGO – (August 6, 2018) – The top three seeds at the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships advanced to the third round with impressive straight-set victories on a warm, sunny day at the Barnes Tennis Center.
Top-seeded Kayla Day of Santa Barbara, Calif., took one-hour and 26 minutes to dismiss Neha Velaga of Colmar, Pa., 6-1, 6-2 on Stadium Court. After winning the first set in 40 minutes, Day served for the match at 5-1 in the second set.
However, Velaga scored her only service break of the match breaking Day to make the score 5-2. The top seed quickly rebounded and broke Velaga to close out the match.
“In the beginning I was just trying to find my range. My point construction isn’t as good as I want it to be, but in the end, I was able to construct some better points and play some good tennis,” said Day, who will face unseeded Esther Lovato of Austin, Texas in a third-round match at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
Second-seeded Whitney Osuigwe of Bradenton, Fla., also advanced as she defeated Blessing Nwaozuzu of Beachwood, Ohio, 6-1, 6-0. She will take on Anessa Lee of San Marino, Calif., on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
Fourteen-year old Cori Gauff of Delray Beach, Fla., moved into the Girls’ 18s third round with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Nicole Conard, Boca Raton, Fla. Gauff, the No. 3 seed, is scheduled to play 33rd seed Nicole Mossmer of La Jolla, Calif., on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Kayla Day
Day has been hampered by a bone bruise and strained ligament in her right foot this year, which not only limited the number of matches she has played, but also her practice time as well.
“I was out for a couple of months. I really couldn’t do much. I’m happy to be back. It’s a great tournament to come back to after an injury. It feels really good,” said Day, a former champion who won the 18s singles title in 2016.
“Honestly, I haven’t played many matches this year. I haven’t had that great of a year and I’ve been injured, so I was hoping to get some matches against some really good competition,” she added. “Obviously if you win it, there is a nice prize (US Open wild card) at the end.”
The 18-year old Day, who has been ranked as high as No. 122 in the Women’s Tennis Association singles rankings said winning this week’s 18s National title won’t be easy.
“Every match is tough. It’s a really long tournament. I have to make sure to stay calm and be in the moment. I haven’t been able to practice that much,” Day said. “The girl that normally wins this tournament isn’t necessarily the one that plays the best, but the one that competes and fights for every point.”
In the Girls’ 16s division, top-seeded Gianna Pielet continued her strong singles play as the 16-year old from El Paso, Texas moved into the fourth-round after defeating 33rd seeded Sophia Fornaris of Pinecrest, Fla., 6-4, 6-1.
This past April, the USTA renamed the USTA Girls’ 16s & 18s National Championships to honor tennis icon Billie Jean King, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. King is scheduled to attend the final two days of the tournament.
All tournament matches played on Stadium Court at the Barnes Tennis Center are streamed live on the tournament website through Friday, August 10. The link is available at www.ustagirlsnationals.com/
The Tennis Channel broadcast schedule for the final two days of the tournament will be as follows:
Saturday, August 11 Girl’s 18s Singles Semifinals – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT (2 to 6 p.m. EDT) Girl’s 16s Singles Final – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. PDT (7:30 to 9:30 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, August 12 Girl’s 18s Singles Final – 1 to 3 p.m. PDT (4 to 6 p.m. EDT)
Over 400 of the top junior tennis players in the country, aged 16 and 18 and under, are competing for the title of National Champion, as well as a wild card entry into the Women’s Singles main draw of the 2018 US Open (for the 18s Champion) and a wild card into the 2018 US Open Junior Championships (for the 16s Champion). The 18s Doubles Champions will also receive a wild card into the US Open Women’s Doubles main draw.
The updated starting times for each day of the tournament will be as follows:
Tuesday, August 7 through Sunday, August 12 — 9 a.m. (Starting times subject to change)
Early-round tournament matches are also being played at San Diego State University’s Aztec Tennis Center, 5375 Remington Rd., San Diego, CA, 92115 through Tuesday, Aug. 7, and the Balboa Tennis Club, 2221 Morley Field Drive, San Diego, CA 92104 through Wednesday, Aug. 8.
Admission and on-site parking at the Barnes Tennis Center is free each day of the tournament. For fans watching matches at SDSU and the Balboa Tennis Club, admission is free. There is a nominal charge for on-campus parking at SDSU. Parking regulations at the university will be strictly enforced. Parking is free at the Balboa Tennis Club.
USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s & 18s National Championships
Barnes Tennis Center
San Diego, Calif.
Monday’s Results
Girls’ 18s Singles
Second Round
Kayla Day (1), Santa Barbara, Calif., def. Neha Velaga, Colmar, Pa., 6-1, 6-2
Whitney Osuigwe (2), Bradenton, Fla., def. Blessing Nwaozuzu, Beachwood, Ohio, 6-1, 6-0
Cori Gauff (3), Delray Beach, Fla., def. Nicole Conard, Boca Raton, Fla., 6-2, 6-3
Caty Mcnally (5), Cincinnati, def. Casey Accola, Winter Garden, Fla., 6-2, 6-0
Vanessa Ong (17), Oklahoma City, def. Isabella Montana, Cutler Bay, Fla., 6-2, 6-0
Hailey Baptiste (7), Washington, D.C., def. Kelly Keller, Laguna Beach, Calif., 6-2, 6-1
Kacie Harvey (15), Jensen Beach, Fla., def. Madeline Suk, Minnetonka, Minn., 6-1, 6-1
Ava Hrastar (33), Duluth, Ga., def. Catherine Broerman, Scottsdale, Ariz., 6-2, 6-2
Rena Lin (17), Northridge, Calif., def. Chidimma Okpara, Vienna, Va., 6-3, 6-1
Sonia Tartakovsky (33), New York, def. Grace Joyce, Newton, Mass., 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
Charlotte Chavatipon (33), Fullerton, Calif., def. Makayla Mills, Wilmington, N.C., 6-1, 6-2
Alyvia Jones, Gonzales, La., def. Ashley Yeah (17), Los Gatos, Calif., 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
Natasha Subhash (12), Fairfax, Va., def. Anna Brylin, Short Hills, N.J., 5-7, 6-4, 6-1
Savannah Broadus (33), Carrollton, Texas, def. Kelsey Mize, Tulsa, Okla., 6-2, 6-0
Karina Miller (33) (Ann Arbor, MI) def. Alexandra Yepifanova (Aventura, FL) 6-2, 6-1
Connie Ma (33), Dublin, Calif., def. Ellie Douglas, McKinney, Texas, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4
Elysia Bolton (17), Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., def. Mary Courville, Columbus, Ga., 6-1, 6-2
Jenna DeFalco (33), Tustin, Calif., def. Melissa LaMette, Cypress, Texas, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3
Elli Mandlik (13), Bradenton, Fla., def. Ellie Kuckelman, Overland Park, Kan., 6-2, 7-6 (1)
Carly Briggs (33), Calhoun, Ga., def. Anna Roggenburk, Avon Lake, Ohio, 6-4, 2-6, 6-0
Anna Zhang (17), McKinney, Texas, def. Andie Weise, Mequon, Wis., 6-2, 6-0
Nicole Mossmer (33), La Jolla, Calif., def. Maria Fernanda Campos, Laredo, Texas, 6-1, 6-1
Yolanda Lin (33), Sammamish, Wash., def. Katherine Lyman, Isle of Palms, S.C., 6-3, 6-4
Angelica Blake (17), Boca Raton, Fla., def. Michelle Xu, Vienna, Va., 6-3, 6-4
Anna Campana (33), Hillsborough, Calif., def. Klara Kosan, Carmichael, Calif., 6-2, 6-3
Katie Volynets (9), Walnut Creek, Calif., def. Seraphin Castelino, Superior, Colo., 6-1, 6-0
Abigail Forbes (17), Raleigh, N.C., def. Gabby Lee, Leawood, Kan., 6-0, 6-0
Emma Jackson (33), La Grange Park, Ill., def. Jingyi Peng, Chatham, N.J., 6-1, 6-3
Vivian Cheng, Santa Monica, Calif., def. Sydney Sforzo, Lakewood Ranch, Fla., 6-1, 6-1
Anika Yarlagadda (17), West Bloomfield, Mich., def. Lilie Steryous, Taylors, S.C., 6-2, 7 5
Reilly Tran (33), Dunn Loring, Va., def. Delara Zamani, Frisco, Texas, 7-5, 6-1
Kensie Cricchio, Gainesville, Fla., def. Zoe Howard (33), Chevy Chase, Md., Walkover (ill)
Emma Navarro (17), Charleston, S.C., def. Kiana Rizzolo, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., 6-3, 6-2
Anessa Lee, San Marino, Calif., def. Merri Kelly, Oyster Bay, N.Y., 6-0, 6-2
Rachel Eason, Union City, Calif., def. Rachele Rimondini, Boca Raton, Fla., 7-5, 6-2
Sydney Lee, Oakland, Calif., def. Gabriella Dellacono, Stonington, Conn., 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
Rachel Lim (17), Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., def. Josephine Schaffer, Greenwood Village, Colo., 6-4, 6-4
Girls’ 16s Singles
Third Round
Gianna Pielet (1), El Paso, Texas, def. Sophia Fornaris (33), Pinecrest, Fla., 6-4, 6-1
Valencia Xu (2), Livingston, N.J., def. Sarah Hamner (33), Fort Collins, Colo., 7-6 (5), 6-4
Fiona Crawley (3), San Antonio, def. Alexis Blokhina, Plantation, Fla., 6-4, 6-1
Allura Zamarripa (4), Saint Helena, Calif., def. Maria Rizzolo, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., 7-5, 6-1
