National Tennis Center Hosts USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships

November 7, 2011 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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Mitchell Frank, an ITA Men’s All-American singles champion, and doubles champions Chase Buchanan & Blaz Rola have both captured their second national title. Both sides won their titles in three set finals held at the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships.

The women’s side saw a different outcome with unseeded Marta Lesniak of SMU and Kaitlyn Christan & Sabrina Santamaria of USC capturing their first national championships. "It’s like a dream, seriously," said Lesniak, a 7-5, 6-1 victor. "Coming here, I thought I’d win one or two rounds maximum. Once I was in the semifinal, I was like, ‘Oh my God, you’re almost there.’ I was trying to go for it but I never expected it. I’m really shocked."

The Trojan duo team of Santamaria & Christian had never played an indoor event and had never even set foot in New York City. After a victory, they got to get out and see the sights of New York after spending time indoor winning their first championship. "We went to Times Square, saw the Statue of Liberty and rode on the subway," said Santamaria. "It was my first time on the subway and I took many pictures."

Santamaria said Christian had helped carry her on to the finals, but in the finals it was Santamaria’s serve that held every game while Christian saw five breaks of her serve. "I was really focused. I knew that I had to hold my serve every single time, and if I didn’t we probably would not have won," said Santamaria.

The men’s double final of Buchanan & Rola of Ohio State saw a quick break to open the match against Ashley Watling & Clifford Marsland in the last four service games of the match. Buchanan had strong forehands with great lobbing shots and Rola had a huge lefty serve to even out the match.

Frank of Virginia and Dennis Nevolo of Illinois advanced to the men’s singles final, which was not a dissappointment to fans who attended at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.  "He started to come in on everything," said Frank. "He volleys so well that it’s tough to pass him and get openings. Indoors, he’s able to take the ball earlier and I have less time to pass." This was similar to their last meeting at the ITA All-American Championships on October 7th. Frank now has a perfect 12-0 college record career to date.

 

2011 USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships

Sunday, November 6 – RESULTS

Men’s Singles – Main Draw Final
►[1] Mitchell Frank (Virginia) def. [8] Dennis Nevolo (Illinois) 6-3, 2-6, 7-5

Women’s Singles – Main Draw Final
►Marta Lesniak (SMU) def. Joanna Mather (Florida) 7-5, 6-1

Men’s Doubles – Main Draw Final
►[2] C. Buchanan/B. Rola (Ohio State) def. [3] C. Marsland/A. Watling (Tulsa) 4-6, 7-5, 6-2

Women’s Doubles – Main Draw Final
►K. Christian/S. Santamaria (USC) def. [3] K. Frilling/S. Mathews (Notre Dame) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Men’s Singles – Consolation Final
►[1] Wil Spencer (Georgia) def. Sadio Doumbia (Georgia) 7-6(6), 6-3

Women’s Singles – Consolation Final
►[1] Beatrice Capra (Duke) def. Robin Anderson (UCLA) 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(6)


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
USTA NTC

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