Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
National Indoor Championships
Kucerkova and Petukhova Roll Through Semis
11/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Nov. 8, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - For the second time during the fall season, the Fresno State women's tennis team will be represented in the finals of a national tournament.
Bulldog juniors Renata Kucerkova and Anastasia Petukhova continued unstoppable play Saturday, taking on Airapetian/Tigu of Arkansas. The first set went back and forth with the `Dogs taking it 7-5. Kucerkova/Petukhova then breezed through the second set, winning the match 7-5, 6-3, earning a spot in Sunday's ITA National Indoor Championship final.
"Renata and Anastasia got off to a slow start against a very good Arkansas team," said head coach Simon Thibodeau. "They did a good job coming back and executing their game plan to win the match."
Kucerkova and Petukhova are already accustomed to the national stage this season, reaching the finals of the ITA All-American tournament earlier in the fall. The Bulldog pair then followed that performance by winning the ITA Northwest Regional doubles championship. The duo also reached the semifinals of last seasons NCAA Championships.
In the doubles consolation bracket, Melanie Gloria and Tinesta Rowe battled Sescioreanu/Ververkova of Auburn-Montgomery. Gloria and Rowe forced three sets but eventually dropped the match 6-4, 1-6, 6-2.
The 2008 ITA National Indoor Championships will come to a close Sunday with Kucerkova and Petukhova taking on Frilling/Tefft of Notre Dame.
Play resumes Sunday with singles matches at 11:00 a.m. EST, followed by the doubles championship match.
For live scores and updates visit the University of Virginia's tournament page: 2008 ITA National Indoor Championships
2008 ITA National Indoor Championships
Hosted by the University of Virginia -- November 6-9, 2008
Boyd Tinsley Courts at the Boar's Head Sports Club -- Charlottesville, Va.
Doubles Main Draw -- Semifinals
No. 8 Kucerkova/Petukhova def. Airapetian/Tigu (Arkansas) 7-5, 6-3
Doubles Consolation -- Semifinals
Sescioreanu/Ververkova (Auburn-Mont.) def. No. 1 Gloria/Rowe 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
"Join the State - Fresno State!"- The Bulldogs will finish the fall season with competitors at the ITA National Indoor tournament and the ASU Invite, Nov. 6-9. Visit GoBulldogs.com for results and updates.
