Sept. 20, 2014
Tournament Draws
HOUSTON (SMU) - After rain ended play early on Friday afternoon, the SMU women's tennis team returned to the courts on Saturday and put together an impressive performance. The Mustangs have both doubles teams in the finals and have three players in the finals in singles.
In the No. 1 doubles bracket, Hristina Dishkova and Holly Verner notched an 8-5 victory over Alexandra Starkova and Manoela Chiacchio of Louisiana Tech to earn a spot in the finals.
In No. 2 doubles, Yana Erkeeva and Dasha Sharapova topped Hannah Brett of McNeese State and Valeria Terentyeva of Stephen F. Austin, 8-7, to advance to the finals.
In the No. 1 singles bracket, two Mustangs will meet in the finals as both Dishkova and Erkeeva won their quarterfinal and semifinal matches. Dishkova defeated Brooke Hughes of St. Edwards, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round, before defeating Louisiana Tech's Starkova, 6-4, 6-1, in the semis. On the other side of the bracket, Erkeeva defeated Katya Lapayeva, 6-1, 7-6 (3), in the first round and Jazmin Britos of Louisian Tech, 3-6, 6-1, 10-4, in the second round.
In the No. 2 singles bracket, Sharapova lost a tough match to Sasha Khadzhyan, 2-6, 6-4, 10-3, in the first round. Sharapova then fought back to win her consolation match over Louisiana Tech's Chiacchio, 6-3, 6-2.
In No. 3 singles, Verner knocked off Stephen F. Austin's Terentyeva, 7-5, 6-4, in the first round. Verner then defeated Francesda Chaher of St. Edwards, 6-2, 6-1, to reach the finals.
Play will conclude on Sunday with matches starting at 9 a.m. CT.
