Rychagova one win away from main draw

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Kansas junior Anastasia Rychagova is one win away from the main draw after a pair of singles victories Tuesday at the Riviera ITA All-American in Pacific Palisades, California at the Riviera Tennis Club.
 
Ranked No. 35 in the preseason poll, Rychagova first defeated No. 77 Liza Buss of SMU, 6-1, 6-2. She then overcame a first-set loss against Duke’s No. 57 ranked Kaitlyn McCarthy to earn her second win of the day, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
 
“First, wow,” said assistant coach Caroline Lilley. “What an incredible day and what a way for Nas (Rychagova) to finish it off. I am proud of how professional we were in both doubles and singles. Relentless is the word that comes to mind because whenever we faced adversity we just kept coming back. Last year we were unsure about ourselves at this tournament so to see how far we have come in a year is very encouraging.”
 
Rychagova and junior Nina Khmelnitckaia, the No. 8 seeded team in qualifying doubles, defeated Eliza Omirou and Emma Davis of Wake Forest, 8-4.
 
“(Wednesday) will be another opportunity to embrace every challenge that comes our way as every match is another chance to develop,” said Lilley.
 
Wednesday, Rychagova and Khmelnitckaia will play Oregon’s Alyssa Tobita and Rifanty Khafiani at 12 p.m., CT and Rychagova will face the No. 4 seeded Andrea Lazaro from Florida International at 1:45 p.m., CT.
 
Day 1 Qualifying Results
 
Singles
Anastasia Rychagova (KU) def. Liza Buss (SMU) 6-1, 6-2
Anastasia Rychagova (KU) def. Kaitlyn McCarthy (DU) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
 
Doubles
Khmelnitckaia/Rychagova (KU) def. Omirou/Davis (WFU) 8-4
 
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