Georgia women’s tennis breezes past first round of NCAA Tournament

After a morning rain delay, No. 7 Georgia swept Alabama State 4-0 on its home courts on Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The victory was Georgia’s seventh sweep in the past eight matches.

The Bulldogs stole the doubles point right off the bat starting with a quick 6-1 victory on court three by Anastasiia Lopata and Mell Reasco. This was their ninth straight win as a pair in doubles. Lopata and Reasco are undefeated together this season.

With a strong net game on all three courts, Georgia secured the doubles point after the No. 14 duo of Dasha Vidmanova and Aysegul Mert swept Sahra Bouchaala and Lizaveta Demchenko 6-0 on court one.

Georgia kept the momentum going as it headed into singles, picking up the first set on all six courts. Guillermina Grant eased through her match, picking up a 6-0, 6-0 win over Bea Francesca Acena to double Georgia’s lead to 2-0.

From then on, it was a race to see who would pick up the final two wins for the Bulldogs. No. 65 Reasco earned the next victory after dominating Madalena Andrade 6-1, 6-1. No. 70 Lopata defeated Carmelle Vial 6-0, 6-1 to collect her second win of the day.

The Bulldogs remained on their home courts on Saturday as they took on Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

“Yeah, we’re expecting a battle like we do every day,” head coach Drake Bernstein said. “For preparations, it’s been the same all year. It’s your ice bath, get your dinner, get a good night’s rest, and be ready to go for another challenge.”