Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tennis Advances Two in Qualifying Round
10/23/2009 1:46:47 PM | Tennis
Xu Chang and Miriam Westerink each advance in singles competition at the ITA Midwest Regional Championship
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EVANSTON, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) - Two Eagles advanced to the qualifying round of singles competition yesterday as Eastern Michigan University opened the beginning rounds of the ITA Midwest Regional Tournament, Oct. 22.
Junior Xu Chang and sophomore Miriam Westerink each advanced after first and second round wins. Xu's (ranked as a sixth seed in her bracket) earned a first round bye before beating Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne's in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) in the second round. Westerink defeated Ohio State's Kara Cecil in their first round match (6-2, 3-6, 6-4) before ousting Illinois-Chicago's No. 3 seed Ilinca Critescu in three sets (6-3, 2-6, 6-4).
"It is great to see two of our players make the final round of qualifying," said EMU Head Coach Ryan Ray. "Julia was close to getting there despite being very slowed by an ankle injury. Her best tennis is yet to come when she becomes healthy. I believe Chang and Miriam both have great shots and getting into the main draw."
Xu and Westerink continue singles competition today, Oct. 23, during the final round of qualifying. Each will also compete in doubles competition, which also kicks off today.
Singles Qualifying Tournament
Seeds in parenthesis
First Round
Xu Chang (6) (EMU) bye
Celine Donnet (EMU) bye
Miriam Westerink (EMU) def. Kara Cecil (Ohio State) 6-2,3-6,6-4
Julia Breuss (EMU) def. Gillian Hush (Marquette) 6-3,3-6,6-4
Jessica Seyferth (Wisconsin) def. Marcela Rivero (EMU) 6-0,6-0
Second Round
Xu Chang (6) (EMU) def. Katie Brien (IPFW) 6-2,6-4
Miriam Westerink (EMU) def. Ilinca Critscu (3) (Illinois-Chicago) 6-3,2-6,6-4
Kelsey Haviland (2) (Ohio State) def. Julia Breuss (EMU) 6-0,3-6,6-0
Fidan Manashirova (Ohio State) def. Celine Donnet (EMU) 6-0,6-0
