CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women's tennis (1-0) cruised to a 6-1 victory in its season opener versus Niagara (1-2) this afternoon on its home courts.
The Crimson started its season on fire, winning all three doubles matches.
Kavya Karra and
Kate Kim struck first with a 6-1 win on court two. The duos of
Polina Krumkachev and
Stephanie Yakoff and
Anna-Raphaëlle Serghi and
Claire Shao finished nearly simultaneously with 6-4 decisions on both courts.
Karra started her dual season strong, recording a dominant and unblemished straight-set win over Larisa Kotok. The junior did drop a single game as she improved to 9-2 on the year.
Natasha Rajaram followed with her first career dual season win. Playing at the No. 5 spot, Rajaram defeated Valeria Mora (Niagara) in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.
The Crimson got its next two points following Niagara players retiring for the matches on court four and six. Prior to the conclusion of the matches, Serghi and
Andra Braicu each won a set, 6-4, and were leading in their second sets.
Yakoff got the final point of the day for Harvard at the top spot. After being tested in the opening set, the junior eventually won, 7-5, and then cruised to a 6-0 second set victory.
Results
Harvard – 6,
Niagara – 1
Doubles
- Polina Krumkachev/Stephanie Yakoff (Harvard) def. Gabriela Melo/Isabel Garcia (Niagara), 6-4
- Kavya Karra/Kate Kim (Harvard) def. Julia Clarke-Louie/Saloni Tamang (Niagara), 6-1
- Anna-Raphaëlle Serghi/Claire Shao (Harvard) def. Valeria Mora/Larisa Kotok (Niagara), 6-4
Order of finish: 2, 3, 1
Singles
- Stephanie Yakoff (Harvard) def. Isabel Garcia (Niagara), 7-5, 6-0
- Gabriela Melo (Niagara) def. Claire Shao (Harvard), 1-6, 6-4, 10-7
- Kavya Karra (Harvard) def. Larisa Kotok (Niagara), 6-0, 6-0
- Anna-Raphaëlle Serghi (Harvard) def. Saloni Tamang (Niagara), 6-4, 2-0 ret.
- Natasha Rajaram (Harvard) def. Valeria Mora (Niagara), 6-1, 6-2
- Andra Braicu (Harvard) def. Julia Clarke-Louie (Niagara), 6-4, 4-2 ret.
Order of finish: 3, 5, 4, 2, 6, 1
Next Up
The Crimson will continue its three-match homestretch on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. ET as it welcomes crosstown foe Boston University to the Murr Center.
