TEMPE, Ariz. - No. 3 Stanford reeled off four straight-set victories in singles to win its Pac-12 opener at No. 30 Arizona State on Friday, 4-1.
The Cardinal dropped the doubles point, but as it has done time and time again, the program's superior singles depth carried the day. Alexis Blokhina made quick work of Sara Svetac on court four, 6-1, 6-3, to start the run. Connie Ma followed on court two, 6-0, 6-3, and was quickly backed up with a win at No. 5 from Katherine Hui, 6-4, 6-2.
Alexandra Yepifanova delivered the clincher at No. 3, knocking off No. 103 Emilija Tverijonaite. Yepifanova took the first set, 6-4, but was down a break in the second before winning three consecutive games to finish it off.
The Cardinal is back in action at No. 41 Arizona tomorrow at 11 a.m. PT.
No. 3 Stanford 4 – No. 30 Arizona State 1
DOUBLES
1) Chelsea Fontenel/Patricija Spaka (ASU) d. #54 Connie Ma/Alexandra Yepifanova (STAN) 7-6 (2)
2) Rachel Hanford/Sara Svetac (ASU) d. #60 Angelica Blake/Alexis Blokhina (STAN) 7-6 (2)
3) Katherine Hui/Valencia Xu (STAN) d. Marianna Argurokastriti/Emilija Tverijonaite (ASU) 7-6 (2)
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1
SINGLES
1) Chelsea Fontenel (ASU) led #26 Angelica Blake (STAN) 7-5, 0-4 unf.
2) #15 Connie Ma (STAN) d. Marianna Argurokastriti (ASU), 6-0, 6-3
3) #38 Alexandra Yepifanova (STAN) d. #103 Emilija Tverijonaite (ASU) 6-4, 6-4
4) #86 Alexis Blokhina (STAN) d. Sara Svetac (ASU) 6-1, 6-3
5) Katherine Hui (STAN) d. Patricija Spaka (ASU) 6-4, 6-2
6) Rachel Hanford (ASU) led #108 Valencia Xu (STAN) 7-5, 2-2 unf.
Order of Finish: 4, 2, 5, 3