Nov. 4, 2010

Tournament Central

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Baylor junior Sona Novakova earned her seventh consecutive singles win in the first round of action at the USTA/ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor on Thursday in Flushing, N.Y.

Novakova and sophomore Nina Secerbegovic each competed in the 32-player singles draw, then teamed up to compete in the 16-team doubles draw on the day. Novakova earned the lone win, as Secerbegovic fell in singles and the duo was defeated in doubles.

Novakova faced a stiff test in the first round, taking on eighth-seeded Reza Zsilinszka of Duke. In the first set, Novakova was faced with a Zsilinszka set-point opportunity, down 2-5, but the Baylor junior battled back to force at tie-break and win the set 7-6 (7-5). Novakova continued her hot streak in the second set on her way to a 6-3 win to close out the match.

"Sona made some critical adjustments when she was down set-point at 2-5," head coach Joey Scrivano said. " I am proud of the way she changed her approach and found a way to pull through. The way she closed out the match was the best I have seen this fall."

Secerbegovic drew a tough opponent as well in seventh-seeded Maria Sanchez of USC. Secerbegovic battled back from a 6-2 loss in the first set to take the second 6-3, but Sanchez won the third set 6-2 for the win.

In doubles, another USC win ousted the Baylor duo of Secerbegovic and Novakova. Valeria Pulido and Alison Ramos found their stroke early on the way to an 8-1 win. The loss marked the first of the year for the pair, bringing their fall record to 5-1.

Novakova will be back in action on Friday in the Round of 16, while Secerbegovic, as well as the doubles team, will compete in the consolation rounds. Three Baylor players will also be in action at the HEB Baylor Invitational beginning on Friday at the Baylor Tennis Center.