Women’s Tennis: Freshman Eleni Christofi Impresses in Florida

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Women’s Tennis: Freshman Eleni Christofi Impresses in Florida

UGA women's tennis player Eleni Christofi
Georgia’s Eleni Christofi during the Bulldog Classic at Athens Country Club in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (Photo by John Paul Van Wert)

 
 
Georgia freshman Eleni Christofi registered another impressive day at the 2016 ITA Southeast Regional Tennis Championships Presented by Oracle here Saturday.
 
 
Christofi won a pair of singles matches to advance to the quarterfinals and reached the doubles semifinals with junior Kennedy Shaffer. This fall, Christofi is 7-1 in singles after her latest victories. In the second round, she dispatched Breana Stamplfi (Florida Gulf Coast) 6-1,6-4 and then upset 32nd-ranked Yolimar Ogando (Miami) 6-3,6-4 in the round of 16. On Sunday, she will face Maryna Veksler (Florida International) with a trip to the semifinals on the line.
 
 
In doubles, the Bulldog pair recorded another win over a ranked duo as they eliminated the 35th-ranked Georgia Tech tandem of Hourigan/McAdoo 8-4. Up next, they will face Keegan/Porter (Florida) in the semifinals Sunday.
 
 
“Eleni had a big day, she is playing great tennis,” said Georgia coach Jeff Wallace. “Eleni and Kennedy got off to a good start in doubles, and that’s what we like to see. We’re looking forward to seeing her play in singles and doubles Sunday.”
 
 
Shaffer, junior Mariana Gould and freshman Marta Gonzalez each won their second round match Saturday and then fell in the round of 16. The 14th-ranked Shaffer posted a 6-2,6-0 win over Damira Muminovic (Georgia State) and then lost to 77th-ranked Rasheeda McAdoo (Georgia Tech) 6-3,6-7(4),6-1. Gould defeated Sara Culberson (Miami) 6-3,6-2 but was eliminated by the 43rd-ranked Anna Danilina (Florida) 6-2,6-2. Gonzalez upset the 117th-ranked Ana Madcur (Miami) 6-3,6-4 to run her record to 8-0 but then ran into the ninth-ranked Belinda Woolcock (Florida) who posted a 6-4,6-3 victory.
 
 
“Marta is off to a great start to her career, and this is an important time for her as a young player,” said Wallace. “Everything we are doing now is building towards the spring season, and I’m pleased with how she is doing up to this point.”
 
 
Bulldog senior Caroline Brinson won a pair of matches in the consolation draw to advance to the quarterfinals. She beat Olga Martinez (South Florida) 6-0,6-4 and then outlasted Juliana Curtis (Florida Gulf Coast) 6-7,6-2,1-0(10-1). In lieu of a third set, a 10-point match tiebreaker was played. On Sunday, she will face Michelle Valez (North Florida).
 
 
Also in doubles action Saturday, the Gould/Gonzalez tandem dropped their quarterfinal match to Keegan/Porter (Florida) 8-2.
 
 
 
 

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