Baylor University Team Page

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Needing just one victory to make the qualifying draw of the ITA/Riviera All-American Championships, Baylor women’s tennis sophomore Ema Burgic delivered with a straight-set win on Sunday at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

“I don’t think Ema played her best tennis today,” head coach Joey Scrivano said. “However, she is doing a great job of finding a way of a way to win. She has been able to play just a little bit better than her opponent.”

Burgic got past 16th-seeded and 113th-ranked Erin Stephens of Mississippi, 7-5, 6-1, to claim her third win in two days in California. The victory clinched Burgic one of eight spots into the 64-player qualifying draw, which starts on Monday.

“Ema is holding serve at a very high percentage,” Scrivano said. “That makes a world of difference and it has allowed her to take more chances on her return game.”

Burgic will not play again until Tuesday against an opponent to be determined. Just as with pre-qualifying, a singles player must win three consecutive qualifying matches to stay alive and move into the main draw. Eight spots in the singles main draw are reserved for qualifiers,

“The competition will get harder now as she progresses,” Scrivano said. “It will be interesting to see how Ema raises her level of play in the qualifying draw.”

On Saturday, Burgic earned a straight-set victory against Columbia junior Bianca Sanon, 6-1, 6-0, in the first round. Following that win, Burgic defeated sixth-seeded and 91st-ranked Janine Weinreich of Nebraska, 6-4, 6-3.

“Ema has been very efficient these last two days,” Scrivano said. “That is what you have to do if you want to make a run to the main draw.”

Burgic will also partner with Jordan Sanford to compete in the 32-team doubles main draw from Oct. 4-7. The pair won its only match together last season.