May 21, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. - No. 16 Melanie Gloria opened the NCAA women's singles championship in full force, easily downing Kristen Flower of Georgia Tech, 6-3, 6-1, in the first round of the tournament Wednesday afternoon.

Fresno State's other competitor in the tournament, Anastasia Petukhova, fell 6-3, 6-1, to Ani Mijacika of Clemson in her first match of the championships.

Gloria, now 28-8 in singles, will play Andrea Remynse of UCLA at 9:30 a.m. PST on Friday at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Tulsa.

Before taking on the Bruin on Friday, Gloria and Tinesta Rowe, the No. 2 ranked doubles team in the tournament, will take on Sophie Grabinski and Sanaz Marand of North Carolina on Thursday at 2 p.m. Petukhova and Renata Kucerkova will also compete in the doubles championship, taking on Megan Alexander and Marrit Boonstra of Florida on Thursday at 12 p.m.

Follow the Bulldogs compete live at Tulsahurricane.com.

Results

Melanie Gloria (FS) def. Kristen Flower (GT), 6-3, 6-1

Ani Mijacika (CU) def. Anastasia Petukhova (FS), 6-3, 6-1

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