NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It was a successful first day for Auburn women's tennis at the June Stewart Invitational as the Tigers picked up five singles victories Friday at the Currey Tennis Center.
"Finding responses is an integral part of the game of tennis," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said. "Today we took some valuable steps forward in being solution-focused throughout our matches in singles. In doubles we have to learn how to match aggressive tennis with aggressive tennis of our own. When you have different ways to disrupt, a wide arsenal of skills, decision making takes time to develop and hone."
Yu Chen got things going for Auburn with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Vanderbilt's Emma Kurtz. Three other Tigers earned three-set victories: Selin Ovunc remained unbeaten in singles on the year with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Vandy's Amanda Meyer, Taylor Russo won her fourth three-setter of the year, 7-5, 3-6, 6-0 over Marcella Cruz, and Georgie Axon downed Vandy's Dasha Kourkina, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. In an additional singles match, Shir Azran defeated Tennessee's Tenika McGiffin, 6-1, 6-3.
Vanderbilt's Anessa Lee outlasted Auburn's Carolyn Ansari in three sets, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, and Adeline Flach fell to Holly Staff, 7-5, 6-1.
The Tigers came up short in three doubles matches against Kentucky. Ansari and Russo fell 6-4 to Stevens and Girbau; Ovunc and Chen dropped a 6-4 decision against Tkachenko and Aher, and Axon and Flach fell 6-0 to Parazinskaite and Arrese.
Play continues Saturday at the June Stewart Invitational as Auburn will play doubles against opponents from Tennessee at approximately 1 p.m., followed by singles matches against Kentucky. Live scoring is available at VandyStats.com.
For the latest on Auburn women's tennis, follow @AuburnWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Auburn Results – Friday, Oct. 30
June Stewart Invitational – Nashville, Tenn.
Singles
Selin Ovunc (AU) def. Amanda Meyer (VU), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Anessa Lee (VU) def. Carolyn Ansari (AU), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
Yu Chen (AU) def. Emma Kurtz (VU), 6-3, 7-5
Holly Staff (VU) def. Adeline Flach (AU), 7-5, 6-1
Taylor Russo (AU) def. Marcella Cruz (VU), 7-5, 3-6, 6-0
Georgie Axon (AU) def. Dasha Kourkina (VU), 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
Shir Azran (AU) def. Tenika McGiffin (UT), 6-1, 6-3
Doubles
Parazinskaite/Arrese (UK) def. Axon/Flach, 6-0
Stevens/Girbau (UK) def. Ansari/Russo, 6-4
A. Tkachenko/Aher (UK) def. Ovunc/Chen, 6-4
