Just one day after staging an impressive comeback to beat the world’s No. 127 player, Julia Goerges, UCLA senior Riza Zalameda was three points away from winning yet another match over a top-ranked player.
Zalameda earned a wild card entry into the qualifying rounds of the 2008 Pacific Life Open, held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, by capturing the singles title at the National Collegiate Tennis Classic at the beginning of the season.
In the second round of the qualifying rounds, Zalameda was pitted against Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia, who is ranked No. 101 in the world and took Venus Williams to three sets in the second round of Wimbledon last year.
After cruising in the first set, Zalameda dropped the second set and then found herself in a tiebreaker with a 4-0 lead, needing just three more points to earn a bid into the main draw of the Pacific Life Open.
However, Kudryavtseva battled back and beat the Bruin by a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(5) decision.
“I felt like I had it,” said Zalameda, who is ranked No. 7 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association singles rankings. “I was so close to closing it out, but I played some loose points at the wrong times.”
But by beating Goerges in the opening round of qualifying, Zalameda was able to prove that she is capable of hanging with the world’s best, even though she lost the first set in a tiebreaker before coming back to win 6-7(1), 7-5, 7-5.
“All I can do is try to stay positive,” Zalameda said. “I feel a bit sad, but I proved I can play with these women.”
WOMEN’S TENNIS: Although Zalameda will not be able to participate in the main draw of the Pacific Life Open, she will be joining the rest of the No. 10 UCLA women’s tennis team this afternoon as it travels across town to take on No. 8 USC in what tends to be one of the biggest matches of the year for the Bruins.
The Bruins (11-4, 2-0 Pac-10) and the Women of Troy (11-3, 2-0) exchanged blows last season, with each team winning on the opposition’s home court. UCLA looks to do the same this afternoon.
Currently there are five Bruins ranked in the top 60 in the ITA Rankings, with Zalameda at No. 7, freshman Andrea Remynse at No. 36, sophomore Yasmin Schnack at No. 46, and seniors Elizabeth Lumpkin and Tracy Lin at No. 56 and 58, respectively.
In doubles, Zalameda is ranked in the top 20 with two different partners, checking in at No. 15 with Lin and at No. 18 with Schnack. Lin also earned a ranking with Remynse at No. 43, while Lumpkin and sophomore Stephanie Wetmore moved up to No. 51 this week.
MEN’S TENNIS: The No. 6 UCLA men’s tennis team continued its hot streak Wednesday afternoon with a 6-1 win over Duke, just two days after escaping with a 4-3 decision over No. 11 Baylor.
The Bruins (12-1) will get two weeks off before their next match, accounting for finals week and spring vacation. It will be a much-needed rest after coming off an impressive four-match streak of quality victories.
“They were good, tough matches for us,” coach Billy Martin said. “I think we’re a little bit fatigued, not mentally, but physically. We had four tough matches in a row.”
“We’re now going to be geared up for our Pac-10 season, which is always exciting.”