University of North Texas Athletics
Kononova And Kutubidze Reach RC Invite Doubles Semifinals
9/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
MIDLAND, Texas — North Texas sophomores Maria Kononova and Tamuna Kutubidze have reached the semifinals of the Racquet Club Invitational doubles bracket for the second consecutive year.
Saturday, the No. 2-seeded duo defeated Tyler Junior College's Jasmine Asghar and Montana Moore (8-3) in the Midland, Texas, tournament's quarterfinal. The doubles victory marks the 21st career win for the tandem, combing their fall and spring seasons. Last year in the RC Invitational, Kononova and Kutubidze reached the semifinals but lost (6-4) in a rainy delayed match.
"We were extremely tired," Kutubidze said. "But tried our best and fought together as a team."
Kononova and Kutubidze will play the winner of UTEP and Texas Tech in the semifinals, Sunday, looking to reach the finals of the first tournament of the 2016 fall season.
"Although I don't think we showed our best, we still dominated on the court due to our confidence and good chemistry between each other," Kononova said. "All we need as far as preparation for tomorrow is just to get rest and stay healthy."
Two of the Mean Green's opening round doubles matches were postponed Friday due to weather and resumed Saturday morning.
Senior Alexis Thoma and freshman Alexandra Heczey lost their opening round doubles match Saturday (8-2) to Texas Tech's Kaitlyn Jackson and Lynn Kiro.
North Texas freshmen Haruka Sasaki and Ivana Babić lost their postponed first round matchup (8-2) to Abilene Christian's Erin Walker and Whitney Williams.
In the singles tournament, the No. 10-seeded Kononova defeated No. 5 Aleksandra Zenovka of TCU (6-2, 7-6(2)) in the round of 16. Her doubles partner, Kutubidze, defeated No. 9 Sofiko Kadzhaya of TCU (7-5, 6-2) to also advance to the tournament's quarterfinal round.
In their quarterfinal matches, Kononova fell to No. 4 Vivienne Kulicke of UTEP after winning the first set (4-6, 6-0, 6-3). Kutubidze didn't fair any better as she lost to No.3 Kaitlyn Jackson from Texas Tech (6-1, 7-6(6)). Despite the lost, Kutubidze was in good spirits after the lost.
"My first singles match went really well and my second one did too," Kutubidze said. "I was out of energy but was fighting until the end no mater what."
Day Two
Doubles Results
First Round
Postponed/Continued matches from Friday Alexis Thoma/Alexandra Heczey lost Kaitlyn Jackson/ Lynn Kiro (Texas Tech); 8-2 Haruka Sasaki/ Ivana Babić lost Erin Walker/ Whitney Williams (ACU); 8-2
Singles Results
Round of 16
No. 10 Maria Kononova defeat No. 5 Aleksandra Zenovka (TCU); 6-2, 7-6 (2) Tamuna Kutubidze defeat No. 9 Sofiko Kadzhaya (TCU); 7-5, 6-2
Quarterfinals
No. 10 Maria Kononova lost No. 4 Vivienne Kulicke (UTEP); 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 Tamuna Kutubidze lost No. 3 Kaitlyn Jackson (Texas Tech); 6-1, 7-6(6).
Consolation Round of 16
Haruka Sasaki lost M'Balia Bangoura (Nebraska); 6-2, 6-1 Ivana Babić lost Agustina Serio (UTA); 6-2, 6-2 Alexis Thoma lost Anna Wichert (UTA); 6-2, 4-6, 10-6
Players Mentioned
