URBANA, Ill. – The Purdue women's tennis team could not sustain early momentum on Sunday afternoon, falling 4-1 in Big Ten Conference play to the Fighting Illini.
Purdue jumped out in front with a pair of quick wins in doubles play. Nathalia Wolf Gasparin and Zala Dovnik teamed up to cruise to a 6-2 win at the top of the order against Josei Frazier and Emily Duong. Ena Babic and Alex Sabe rallied to oust Mia Rabinowitz and Ashely Yeah at No. 3 6-4 to clinch the opening point.
In singles play, the Boilermakers could not grab a foothold in the opening stages. The hosts rallied from behind with straight set victories at No. 1, 3, 4 and 5. After dropping their first sets, Alex Sabe and Csilla Fodor were on the brink of forcing a third set at No. 2 and No. 6, respectively, when play was halted.
The Boilermakers will return to the Schwartz Tennis Center next weekend for a pair of matches in the Big Ten. Purdue will host Iowa on Saturday at 11 a.m., before a 10 a.m. tilt against Nebraska on Sunday.
PURDUE (5-8, 0-2) - 1, ILLINOIS (4-9, 0-1) – 4
SINGLES
1. Mia Rabinowitz (ILL) def. Ena Babic (PUR) – 6-4, 6-2
2. Sasha Belaya (ILL) vs. Alex Sabe (PUR) – 6-3, 4-5, unfinished
3. Emily Duong (ILL) def. Seira Shimizu (PUR) – 6-4, 6-1
4. Josie Frazier (ILL) def. Nikol Dobrilova (PUR) – 6-3, 6-3
5. Ashley Yeah (ILL) def. Zala Dovnik (PUR) -6-3, 6-3
6. Emilee Casati (ILL) vs. Csilla Fodor (PUR) – 6-2, 5-6, unfinished
DOUBLES
1. Nathalia Wolf Gasparin/Zala Dovnik (PUR) def. Josie Frazier/Emily Duong (ILL) – 6-2
2. Seira Shimizu/Nikol Dobrilova (PUR) vs. Sasha Belaya/Emilee Casati (ILL) – 3-5
3. Ena Babic/Alex Sabe (PUR) def. Mia Rabinowitz/Ashley Yeah (ILL) – 6-4
Singles order: 4, 5, 3, 1
Doubles order: 1, 3
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