Ristic Advances At Mercer Tennis Classic
10/17/2022 6:56:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Continues Singles, Starts Doubles
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MACON, Ga., Mercer women's tennis player Teodora Ristic notched a historic victory on Monday Oct. 17, when she became the first Bear to win a match in the ten-year history of the prestigious Mercer Tennis Classic.
The Mercer Tennis Classic at the John Drew Smith Tennis Center brings top women players to middle Georgia annually. This year's field features five of the top 100 ranked players in the world.
Ristic defeated Tori Kinard in a tiebreaker format, compared to a traditional third set. Ristic won the match 6-4, 2-6 [10-1].
Playing a number of years in college, Ristic was familiar with the match tiebreak format.Â
"College tennis helps with the match tiebreak, every point is important and you have to run for every ball.
"My thought going into the match was to keep the ball in play and stay consistent," Ristic said. "Hit heavy balls and try to stay out there a long time.
Her Mercer teammate Naya Tillet also played on Monday.
Tillet showed great form in taking on an experienced Alana Smith, who is a grad student playing for North Carolina State. Tillet battled through two tough sets in falling to Smith 6-3, 6-4 in a match that went back and forth.
Ristic will continue her singles play on Tuesday. She'll also begin doubles competition partnered ed with her Mercer teammate, Mary Weston Courville. Another Mercer duo, Camilla Ciaccia and Eden Schlagenhauf will also start doubles play Oct. 18.
For pairings, order of play, schedule and more on the Mercer Tennis Classic visit: www.ustamaconclassic.com
Monday's Results:
Olivia LINCER (POL) [4] Sumvruta IYENGAR (USA) 6-0 6-0
Rhiann NEWBORN(USA) [6] Leela CLINE (USA) 6-1 6-1
Salma EWING (USA) [12] Dylan CLINE (USA) 6-2 6-1
Victoria HU (USA) [16] Lucie PETRUZELOVA (CZE) 4-6 6-3 [10-6]
Bianca Jolie FERNANDEZ (CAN) [9] Mia YAMAKITA (USA) 6-1 4-6 [11-9]
Carolyn ANSARI (USA) [10] Epiphany B TURNER (USA) 7-5 6-0
Mary LEWIS (USA) Liga DEKMEIJERE (LAT) [14] 6-1 7-6(5)
Shatoo MOHAMAD (USA) Sylvia SCHENCK (USA) 6-0 6-0
Lisa ZAAR (SWE) [2] Elena ECKER (USA) 6-1 6-0
Akasha URHOBO (USA) Micheline AUBUCHON (USA) 6-2 6-1
Alana SMITH (USA) [5] Naya TILLITT (USA) 6-3 6-4
Tamara BARAD ITZHAKI (ISR) [13] Alessandra CRUMP (USA) 6-1 6-0
Meisha KENDALL-WOSELEY (USA) Carol Young Suh LEE (USA) [8] w.o.
Victoria OSUIGWE (USA) [15] Elizabeth DANAILOVA (BUL) 6-1 6-1
Teodora RISTIC (SRB) Tori KINARD (USA) [7] 6-4 2-6 [10-1]
Ariana ARSENEAULT (CAN) [11] Fanny NORIN (SWE) 6-4 6-2
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