ATHENS, Ga.- Kristie Ahn and Carol Zhao moved into the round of 16 in both singles and doubles on Thursday afternoon at the NCAA Championship.
Ahn and Zhao prevailed in their second-round singles matches, earning All-America status in the process. The duo later teamed up for a victory in the first round of the doubles draw.
Taylor Davidson, Caroline Doyle and Krista Hardebeck saw their seasons come to an end in the second round of the singles tournament.
Ahn defeated UCLA’s Kyle McPhillips 6-4, 6-2, improving to 29-4 on the year while defeating her 20th nationally-ranked opponent. Ahn is now three victories shy of 100 in her career.
Zhao grinded out a 7-6 (4), 7-5 victory over Georgia’s Lauren Herring, the nation’s No. 6-ranked player who was competing on her home court. Zhao is now 30-6 overall this year, with 27 of those victories coming in straight sets.
Meanwhile, Davidson and Doyle were eliminated on Thursday, putting the finishing touches on terrific rookie campaigns. Davidson, who suffered a 6-0, 6-7 (6), 7-5 loss to Georgia’s Silvia Garcia, finished 26-8 overall and was 17-3 in duals while consistently overpowering opponents at the No. 4 spot. Doyle dropped a 6-2, 6-3 decision to UCLA’s Robin Anderson, closing out a strong debut season in which she compiled a team-best 34 victories and was 20-2 in duals.
Hardebeck was outlasted 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 by Duke’s Ester Goldfeld, ending her surprising tournament run after upsetting No. 4-ranked Julia Elbaba on Wednesday.
In doubles, Ahn and Zhao rallied past Louisville’s Julia Fellerhoff and Rebecca Shine 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the opening round. Ahn and Zhao improved to 29-5 with the win.
Play continues Friday.
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Wed., May 21: Singles First Round
No. 3 Kristie Ahn (STAN) d. No. 53 Stephanie Nauta (UVA) 6-3, 6-0
No. 21 Carol Zhao (STAN) d. No. 49 Georgiana Patrasc (MISSST) 6-1, 6-1
No. 50 Taylor Davidson (STAN) d. No. 44 Pleun Burgmans (AUB) 6-2, 6-0
No. 51 Krista Hardebeck (STAN) d. No. 4 Julia Elbaba (UVA) 6-2, 6-2
No. 39 Quinn Gleason (ND) d. No. 54 Ellen Tsay (STAN) 6-3, 7-6 (5)
No. 57 Caroline Doyle (STAN) d. No. 41 Stefanie Tan (TCU) 6-1, 6-7 (6), 6-1
Thu., May 22: Singles Second Round
No. 3 Kristie Ahn (STAN) d. No. 38 Kyle McPhillips (UCLA) 6-4, 6-2
No. 21 Carol Zhao (STAN) d. No. 6 Lauren Herring (UGA) 7-6 (4), 7-5
No. 15 Silvia Garcia (UGA) d. No. 50 Taylor Davidson (STAN) 6-0, 6-7 (6), 7-5
No. 27 Ester Goldfeld (DUKE) d. No. 51 Krista Hardebeck (STAN) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
No. 2 Robin Anderson (UCLA) d. No. 57 Caroline Doyle (STAN) 6-2, 6-3
Thu., May 22: Doubles First Round
No. 10 Kristie Ahn/Carol Zhao (STAN) d. No. 21 Julia Fellerhoff/Rebecca Shine (LOU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2