Oct. 22, 2012
BLACKSBURG, Va. - Top-seeded Petra Januskovaheads to the final of the ITA Atlantic Regional after downing both of her singles opponents Monday.
With her two wins today Januskova now has 15 on the fall. Her first win today came against the No. 8 seed Maci Epstein.
The match was the second between Epstein and Januskova on the day. Prior to their encounter in the singles quarterfinal, Epstein and her partner Erin Vierra knocked Januskova and Chelsea Utting, the No. 42 ranked duo in the preseason poll, out of the doubles draw, 8-6. Vierra is ranked No. 103 in the singles poll and No. 20 with Hana Tomljanovic, who isn't playing this weekend, in the doubles poll.
Januskova got revenge in their second match, defeating Epstein in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Januskova faced another Virginia player in the semifinal. After the tough three-set match with Epstein, she breezed by No. 3 Stephanie Nauta winning 6-0, 6-1.
"Petra did a fantastic job today," Coach Dawna Denny said. "She remained focused and continuously implemented our strategies, especially in the semifinal match."
Januskova has racked up the wins winning her sixth and seventh of the tournament today. Entering regionals with eight victories, a win tomorrow in the final would double her fall total in just four days at Virginia Tech.
She will face her third straight Virginia Cavalier of the singles tournament when she squares off against the No. 2 seed, Li Xi. Xi is ranked No. 77 in the singles preseason poll. She will play Januskova at noon after her semifinal match in the doubles tournament which is slated to begin at 9 a.m.
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