UTEP’s Carlotta Mencaglia and Hanna Telzynska won consecutive matches to march into the finals of the doubles main draw on the second day of action at the NM State Aggie Invite Saturday.
The duo is now 3-0 at the event. Mencaglia, Telzynska and DeCora Antoine also picked up triumphs in singles play.
“We had a better day today,” UTEP head coach Ivan Fernandez said. “Lotti (Mencaglia) and Hanna (Telzynska) played very well today, winning both matches to get into the main draw doubles championship match tomorrow. Lotti, Hanna, and DeCora (Antoine) are in the consolation finals of their respective singles draws. We are fighting hard on every court and getting better with each day of competition. I hope we can finish strong tomorrow.”
Mencaglia and Telzynska looked to be in top form by securing two victories, and the pair will now have a chance to claim some hardware Sunday. The duo bested Caini Wang and Kajsa Gedlitschka (Western New Mexico), 8-4, in the quarterfinals before blasting Dora Kurdi and Varvara Nikolaeva (NM State), 8-5, to punch a ticket to the championship round. The tandem is a perfect 3-0 at the tournament, having derailed the fourth seed from Abilene Christian to initiate the run. Antoine and Emma Stuart were tripped up by Eva Arranz and Andrea Guerrero (Abilene Christian), 8-5, in the quarterfinals. The duo did not compete in its other contest of the day.
Elena Dibattista’s run in the White draw ended with a 6-4, 6-1, setback against top-seed Olivia Sears (Abilene Christian). Antoine toppled Andrea Arnautu (Western New Mexico), 6-3, 6-1, to advance to the finals of the backdraw of her bracket. Mencaglia also secured a spot in the finals of her backdraw by besting Dora Kos (Western New Mexico), 6-3, 7-5. Telzynska became the third Miner to make the finals in the consolation with a double-bagel (6-0, 6-0) victory against Kajsa Gedlitschka (Western New Mexico),
6-0, 6-0. Stuart was edged out by Mann-Ning Li (Western New Mexico), 6-4, 6-4.
The Orange and Blue will look to cap the season-opening weekend in style on Sunday.
