Rychagova Advances to NCAA Championships Second Round
UPDATED WOMEN’S SINGLES BRACKET
UPDATED WOMEN’S DOUBLES BRACKET
ORLANDO, Fla. – Kansas senior Anastasia Rychagova defeated Denver’s Bianca Mok Monday evening in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Individual Championships at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida.
Rychagova, ranked No. 13 in the nation, triumphed over No. 97-ranked Mok, 6-1, 7-6(2), to advance to the round of 32.
With the victory, Rychagova improves her singles record to 21-3 for the entire 2018-19 season, including a 12-3 record against ranked opponents. After losing the first game of the match, Rychagova reeled off six-straight games to take the first set. She then took a 4-2 lead in the second set, but Mok ran off three-straight games to take a 5-4 lead. But Rychagova broke Mok’s serve to tie it at 5-5. The set ended up in a tiebreaker, which Rychagova won, 7-2.
Live stats and streaming will be available as well as updates throughout the tournament on Kansas tennis’ social media accounts.
QUOTES
Kansas senior Anastasia Rychagova
On her first NCAA Championships match:
“Bianca was definitely a tough opponent. I had never beaten Bianca before and I was nervous. I knew the first round was going to be tough. I was happy with the way I came onto the court. I was extremely nervous, but I was glad I could step in. As the match progressed, I started playing better. In the second-set tiebreaker, I think I played my best tennis.
This was my first NCAA Championship, I made it last year but was unable to play due to my injury. I was happy I was able to come out and win today.”
Kansas head coach Todd Chapman
On Rychagova’s overall match:
“I think it was a great match for Nas to get under her belt. I think she competed hard when she stuck with her game plan. She created a lot of opportunities for herself. I am just excited for her; Nas has worked hard for this. Last year she qualified for this tournament but was unable to play. I know she wanted it (the win) badly today. It is fun to watch her get out there and compete, playing with so much emotion and excitement.”
On if he saw Rychagova’s nerves:
“I did see her nerves, (but) I think it was good nerves. In the second set, when she got up a bit I think she was trying to get the match over with.
I know she was nervous, she wanted the win badly and that is not a bad thing; it means that the match means something to you. It is exciting to see her get out here and get the first match under her belt and if she continues to play the way she is capable, she will have plenty of opportunities moving forward.”
UP NEXT
Rychagova will face California’s No. 41-ranked Julia Rosenqvist in the NCAA Tennis Individual Championships singles second round on Tuesday, May 21, at 1 p.m., Central time for a spot in the Sweet 16. Prior to Rychagova’s second round of the tournament, seniors Nina Khmelnitckaia and Janet Koch, the No. 6-ranked doubles team in the country, will play Stanford’s No. 19-ranked Caroline Lampl and Kimberly Yee on Tuesday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m., Central time in the first round (round of 32). Both matches will be held at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida.
