Arakawa Pulls Off Upset Win In Opening Round

Singles Draw | Doubles Draw

MINNEAPOLIS – Highlighted by freshman Natsuho Arakawa’s upset win over Wichita State’s fifth-seeded Giulia Guidetti, the Arkansas women’s tennis team went perfect in singles play Thursday at the USTA/ITA Central Regional Championships being held at the Baseline Tennis Center on the University of Minnesota campus.

“What a great performance from the whole group on the first day here in Minneapolis,” head coach Michael Hegarty said. “I can’t remember the last time we came through the first day of regionals with a perfect record. Credit to the ladies for bringing their A-game right out of the gate.”

Arakawa ousted Guidetti 6-3, 7-6 (8), while senior co-captain Shannon Hudson, junior Mia Jurasic and 60th-ranked sophomore Ana Oparenovic each earned straight-set victories of their own.

Hudson defeated Nebraska-Omaha’s Emily Behling 6-1, 6-3. Jurasic beat Saint Louis’ Cassie McKenzie 6-2, 6-4. Oparenovic completed the Arkansas quartet’s sweep, dispatching Northern Iowa’s Jieke Stroobant 6-1, 6-1.

The Razorbacks return to action Friday, competing in both singles and doubles.

Razorbacks In The Singles Round Of 64/Doubles Round of 64