Fiona Crawley Wins Girls’ 16s singles title at the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s & 18s National Championships

SAN ANTONIO’S FIONA CRAWLEY CROWNED 16s SINGLES CHAMPION AT
USTA BILLIE JEAN KING GIRLS’ 16s & 18s NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Day to Meet Osuigwe in 18s Singles Final on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (PDT)

SAN DIEGO – (August 11, 2018) – Sixteen-year-old Fiona Crawley turned back an early comeback bid against fourth-seeded Allura Zamarripa of Saint Helena, Calif., and went on to capture the Girls’ 16s singles title at the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s & 18s National Championships with an impressive 6-4, 6-0 victory.

The third-seeded Crawley from San Antonio quickly jumped out to a commanding 5-1 lead in the first set before the Stadium Court crowd at the Barnes Tennis Center could settle into their seats.

However, Zamarripa began playing her way back in the opening set as she broke Crawley twice on her way to winning three consecutive games to close the margin to 5-4.

As Zamarripa served to even the first-set score, she blasted an ace to erase one break point, but on the second break point against her, Zamarripa tossed up a double fault to hand Crawley the first set, which took 45 minutes to complete.

With the first set in her favor, that was all Crawley needed as she lost only four points on serve in the second set and broke Zamarripa three times to win the second set at love and wrap up the Girls’ 16s singles title.

Following the match, Crawley was awarded a USTA gold ball for winning the National Championship and a wild card into the upcoming US Open Junior Championships in New York.

While Crawley was thrilled about winning the title, she spoke about the highlight of her week – a first-time meeting with tennis icon Billie Jean King, who spoke at the tournament’s Final Eight Dinner, which is held for players who reach the quarterfinals in singles or doubles.

“It was the first time I met her. It was such an honor to hear her talk and it was really inspiring. She is such a legend and she is so great,” Crawley said. “I look up to her a lot. She was really helpful with her words of wisdom.”

Top-seeded Kayla Day of Santa Barbara, Calif., will face second-seeded Whitney Osuigwe of Bradenton, Fla., for the Girls’ 18s singles title on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (PDT).

In Saturday’s semifinals, Day got past fourth-seeded Salma Ewing of Lakewood, Calif., 7-5, 6-4 in two-hours and five minutes. Earlier in the day, Osuigwe needed two-hours and 32 minutes to win a 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4 thriller over third-seeded Cori Gauff of Delray Beach, Fla.

For updated tournament draws in each division, please go to: https://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=208363#&&s=7

The Tennis Channel schedule for Sunday will be as follows:
Sunday, August 12
Girl’s 18s Singles Final – 1:30 to 3 p.m. PDT (4:30 to 6 p.m. EDT)

USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s & 18s National Championships
Barnes Tennis Center
San Diego, Calif.
Saturday’s Results

Girls’ 18s Singles
Semifinals
Kayla Day (1), Santa Barbara, Calif., def. Salma Ewing (4), Lakewood, Calif., 7-5, 6-4
Whitney Osuigwe (2), Bradenton, Fla., def. Cori Gauff (3), Atlanta, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4

Girls’ 16s Singles
Championship
Fiona Crawley (3), San Antonio, def. Allura Zamarripa (4), Saint Helena, Calif., 6-4, 6-0