Bayerlova Advances to NCAA Quarterfinals

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (May 25, 2022) – Washington State's Michaela Bayerlova continued to make history Wednesday as she rallied from a set down to defeat North Carolina's Carson Tanguilig, 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5, to advance to the 2022 NCAA Tennis Singles Championship at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex on the University of Illinois campus.
 
Bayerlova's victory, her third-straight in the tournament, continues an impressive run for the fifth-year senior as she becomes the only player in program history to reach the quarterfinals at the NCAA Singles Championship.
 
"Another strong mental performance from Misa today," said WSU Head Coach Raquel Atawo. "She had some doubts early on but she found a way out of it and ended playing a solid third set. Today was a tough battle against a very good player and Misa stepped up when she had to. She was playing from behind a lot today but her competitive drive always brought her back. Super proud of her effort."
 
The first set went back-and-forth early as windy conditions throughout the match made it difficult for either player to find their rhythm. After trading early breaks, Tanguilig capitalized on a break of serve on a deuce point to take a 5-3 lead. After falling behind in the next game 0-40, Bayerlova saved four-straight set points to get the break back.
 
At 5-5 in the first, Bayerlova, who is ranked No. 36 nationally, had two break points but did not take advantage as Tanguilig saved both then closed out the set with another break of serve, her third of the set.
 
In the second, both players held serve until Tanguilig broke Bayerlova at love to take a 4-2 lead. The Cougar senior responded with a break of her own then held to get back to 4-4. After saving two match points at 5-6 down, Bayerlova forced a tiebreaker where she hit three winners and forced Tanguilig into four unforced errors, winning 7-3 and forcing a third set.
 
Bayerlova wasted little time jumping out to a 3-1 lead in the third, breaking Tanguilig thanks to a huge forehand return winner to set up the break point. Bayerlova broke serve again to make it 5-3 and put her withing a game of victory. Tanguilig, a freshman ranked No. 51 nationally, didn't quit as she broke and then held serve to even the match at 5-5. Bayerlova regained the 6-5 lead on her serve then on her second match point, watched Tanguilig's shot sail long, sealing the three-set victory.
 
With the win, Bayerlova improves to 20-2 on the season, 9-1 against-nationally-ranked opponents. She is riding a six-match win streak overall, all against-ranked opponents, and now has 93 career singles victories, sixth all-time at WSU.
 
In Thursday's quarterfinal match, Bayerlova will face VCU's Paulo Diaz. Diaz entered the NCAA Championship ranked No. 96. Match time is set for 10 a.m. PT.

2022 NCAA WOMEN'S TENNIS SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP
May 25, 2022
Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex
Champaign, Ill.
 
Round of 16
No. 36 Michaela Bayerlova (WSU) def. No. 51 Carson Tanguilig (UNC) 5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-5