Akli Advances in Singles Main Draw at ITA Carolina Regionals
WINSTON-SALEM, S.C. – South Carolina continued to advance in the ITA Carolina Regionals on Saturday. No. 29 Ayana Akli moved on to the main A2 singles draw semifinals and three Gamecocks advanced in the singles draw consolation rounds.
In doubles, Ayana Akli and Allie Gretkowski faced their first ranked opponents in No. 26 Madison Dillon and Julia Adams of Furman. Akli and Gretkowski made quick work of the match and upset their Paladin opponents 8-3 to advance to the next doubles round.
Akli and Gretkowski then faced Duke’s Karolina Berankova and Georgia Drummy. The match was decided by the best of three sets in which the Gamecocks took the first set 6-1. The Blue Devils fought back to take the second set 6-0 and ultimately prevailed in the third set super tiebreak, winning 1-0 (8).
In singles, No. 29 Akli competed against No. 78 Anika Yarlagadda of North Carolina in the main A2 singles draw. Akli showcased her skill, besting Yarlagadda 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the semifinals in her draw. On Sunday, Akli will take on Emma Jackson of Duke.
Three Gamecocks notched wins in the singles consolation rounds, two of which were in straight sets. Freshman Misa Malkin topped App State’s Kseniia Aleshina 6-4, 6-1 and sophomore Allie Gretkowski downed Erika Baquero of UNCG 6-2, 6-3. The third South Carolina member to advance in the consolation rounds was Ana Cruz who forced her match against North Carolina’s Lindsay Zink to three sets. Cruz came out on top in a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 decision.
In the B draw, Chloe Narboni continued to advance. The freshman took down Brinley Bell of UNCW in a 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (3) decision to advance to the B draw semifinals.
South Carolina will continue with singles play on Sunday at the ITA Carolina Regionals.
Day 3 Results
Singles
Misa Malkin (SC) def. Kseniia Aleshina (APP) 6-4, 6-1
Allie Gretkowski (SC) def. Erika Baquero (UNCG) 6-2, 6-3
No. 29 Ayana Akli (SC) def. No. 78 Anika Yarlagadda (NC) 6-4, 6-4
No. 83 Jenna Thompson (CU) def. Gracie Mulville (SC) 6-4, 6-2
Ana Cruz (SC) def. Lindsay Zink (NC) 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
Chloe Narboni (SC) def. Brinley Bell (UNCW) 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (3)
Doubles
Allie Gretkowski/Ayana Akli (SC) def. No. 26 Madison Dillon/Julia Adams (FU) 8-3
Karolina Berankova/Georgia Drummy (DU) def. Allie Gretkowski/Ayana Akli (SC) 1-6, 6-0, 1-0 (8)
