Duke University Team Page
FLUSHING, N.Y. – Junior Hanna Mar advanced to the round of 16 on Thursday after winning her first round match in the USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. Mar advanced after cruising past No. 89 Aleksandra Josifoska of UNLV, 6-3, 6-1, and now owns a 12-2 record this fall including a 4-1 slate against ranked opponents.
“She went out and executed the things we have been working on,” said assistant coach Marc Spicijaric. “She got a good start, and I think that really helped with her momentum, and I think she can really make a good run if she continues to go out and execute the things we have been practicing like moving forward, hitting targets, and those types of things.”
In the first set, Mar traded games with Josifoska before taking the edge at 4-3. Mar continued her aggressive style of play, and after breaking serve, took the first set 6-3. In the second set, Mar jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 6-1 win.
“I played well. I am definitely happy with how I played today,” said Mar. “I came out and had a pretty good start which is always helpful. I played my game really well, and did not let her take me out of what I needed to do. I tried to be aggressive and get to the net when I could, and it worked out.”
The USTA/ITA National Indoor Championship is one of the premier collegiate tournaments of the year, featuring seven of the top 10 players from the Campbell/ITA Women’s Preseason rankings. Of the 32 athletes in the tournament, 27 are ranked in the top 100 in the preseason poll, including Mar who is ranked 35th entering the weekend.
On Friday, Mar is slated to face No. 41 Katie Le of Santa Clara in the round of 16, after Le defeated No. 26 Zoe De Bruycker of North Carolina, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round. For live updates, visit the tournament home page or follow the tournament on twitter (@ITATennis).
