PHILADELPHIA, PA – Harvard women's tennis (3-4) fell, 4-1, to Columbia (5-2) in the semifinals of the ECAC Championships this afternoon.

Despite a win from Natalie Block and Maxi Duncan at the No. 3 spot to open the match, Columbia went on to steal the doubles point with victories at court one and two.

Holly Fischer evened the match as singles began, defeating Malak El Allami (Columbia) at the No. 1 spot after battling through tiebreakers in both sets. 

The win at court one would be the only victory for the Crimson on the day despite a battle to the final points.  Harvard went on to fall at court three and six to allow the Lions to pull within a point of clinching.  Ultimately a victory in the third set for Columbia at spot No. 2 solidified the match.

In the outstanding matches, Harvard led after forcing a third set.  The Crimson will return to action tomorrow in the consolation round with a rematch against Princeton at 11:00 a.m. ET. 

Results

Doubles

1. Malak El Allami/Fatima Keita (Columbia) def. Charlotte Owensby/Holly Fischer (Harvard), 6-3
2. Gayathri Krishnan/Sophia Strugnell (Columbia) def. Kavya Karra/Stephanie Yakoff (Harvard), 6-2
3. Natalie Block/Maxi Duncan (Harvard) def. Emily Baek/Sophia Wang (Columbia), 6-1

Order of finish: 3, 2, 1

Singles

1. Holly Fischer (Harvard) def. Malak El Allami (Columbia), 7-6, 7-6 (5)
2. Fatima Keita (Columbia) de. Charlotte Owensby (Harvard), 6-3, 1-6, 6-4
3. Gayathri Krishnan (Columbia) def. Stephanie Yakoff (Harvard), 6-4, 6-4
4. Maxi Duncan (Harvard) vs. Amber Yin (Columbia), 7-5, 1-6, 4-2 DNF
5. Kavya Karra (Harvard) vs. Emily Baek (Columbia), 6-1, 3-6, 2-1 DNF
6. Winta Tewolde (Columbia) def. Natalie Block (Harvard), 6-4, 6-4

Order of finish: 1, 3, 6, 2