Huang Highlights Utes Unbeaten Day With Ranked Win
BERKELEY, Calif. – For the first time since April, Utah women's tennis returned to the courts. Anastasia Goncharova and Linda Huang were unbeaten during day one of the Cal Fall Invitational. Huang capped the day for the Utes with a win over a ranked opponent.
Opening with doubles, the 4th-seeded team in the Blue Draw was the Utes' duo of Anastasia Goncharova and Linda Huang. They made quick work of Klara Kosan and Mia-Angelina Ruja of Pacific. Utah's duo came away with an 8-1 win and advanced to the quarterfinals.
In singles action, Huang competed in the Blue Draw, while Goncharova competed in the Gold Draw. Goncharova won her first match against Mya Bui of San Francisco by a walkover before facing Maddy Ferreros in the Round of 16.
In the Round of 16, the 2nd-seeded Goncharova faced off against Ferreros of Sacramento State. Goncharova showed why she was the second seed in the Gold Draw as she won, 6-0, 6-1, advancing to the quarterfinals that will take place on Saturday.
Huang faced UC Santa Barbara's Amelia Honer in the Round of 32. Horner jumped out to a quick lead as she took set one, 6-3, over Huang. Trailing in the second set, Huang responded, taking the set 6-4 and forcing a third set. Huang took the third set, 6-0, advancing to the Round of 16. The win was Huang's first career singles win as a Ute.
After winning her first match, Huang came back for her Round of 16 match against 4th-seeded Valentina Ivanov of Cal. Besides being seeded in the Blue Single's Draw, Ivanova is ranked in the ITA singles rankings. Huang played well against the nationally-ranked opponent as she took set one, 6-2. Huang and Ivanov battled before Huang came away with a 7-5 set win in set two and taking the match.
The Utes return to the courts at 9:30 a.m. MT for Blue Draw Double's Quarterfinals. Huang returns to action at 11:30 a.m. MT for the quarterfinals of the Blue Singles Draw. Goncharova hits the courts at 1 p.m. MT in her quarterfinals match of the Gold Singles Draw.
Cal Fall Invitational – Day 1 Results
Singles (Blue Draw) – Round of 32
Linda Huang (UU) def. Amelia Honor (UCSB), 3-6, 6-4, 6-0
Singles (Blue Draw) – Round of 16
Linda Huang (UU) def. 4th-seeded Valentina Ivanov (CAL), 6-2, 7-5
Singles (Gold Draw) – Round of 32
Anastasia Goncharova (UU) def. Mya Bui (USF), Walkover
Singles (Gold Draw) – Round of 16
Anastasia Goncharova (UU) def. Maddy Ferreros (SAC), 6-0, 6-1
Doubles (Blue Draw) – Round of 16
4th-seeded Anastasia Goncharova/Linda Huang (UU) def. Klara Kosan/Mia-Angelina Ruja (PAC), 8-1