Tigu headlines in Utah; Doubles keep rolling

SALT LAKE CITY – University of Arkansas sophomore Razorback Anouk Tigu claimed two matches in singles play on Saturday at the ITA Central Region Championships in order to qualify for the ITA National Indoor Championships on Nov. 7.

“Anouk (Tigu) showed an impressive combination of resourcefulness and quality of play today,” said Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty. “We are so proud that she will join Aurelija (Miseviciute) in representing the Hogs in Charlottesville, Va. at the ITA National Indoors”

Tigu began her singles championship run on Saturday by first dropping Boise State’s Pichittra Thongdach, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, before fighting past Ola Abou-Zerky of New Mexico, 6-7, 6-1, 6-3. With both wins Tigu not only set herself up for a title match against Nebraska’s Wiveca Swarting at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, but also punches herself a ticket for the ITA National Indoors.

Miseviciute, the defending ITA Central Region singles champion, withdrew from play on Saturday due to earlier wins qualifying her for the main indoor tournament which she won in 2007.

Saturday proved to be another excellent day for Razorback doubles teams as two duos advanced to the semifinals on Sunday. Number 10 Miseviciute and Ela Kaluder defeated Luliana Budiharto and Anna Egorova of Wichita State, 8-5. Nanar Airapetian and Tigu beat Nebraska’s Jennifer Holmberg and Mary Weatherholt, 8-3.

If both pairs win early on Sunday, it will set up for an all-Razorback doubles championship later in the afternoon.

“Last time the tournament was here it was an all-Arkansas doubles final won by Aurelija (Miseviciute) and Ela (Kaluder) over former Razorbacks Maryori Franco and Karina Ledaja,” Hegarty said. “We will be striving for that exact possibility on Sunday.”

Final day action will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday and immediate results following the tournament can be found on ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM.

Singles

Anouk Tigu (UA) def. Pichittra Thongdach (BSU), 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.

Anouk Tigu (UA) def. Ola Abou-Zerky (UNM), 6-7, 6-1, 6-3.

Doubles

-#10 Aurelija Miseviciute/Ela Kaluder (UA) def. Lutliana Budiharto/Anna Egorova (WSU), 8-5.

-Nanar Airapetian/Anouk Tigu (UA) def. Jennifer Holmberg/Mary Weatherholt (Neb), 8-3.