Julia Elbaba, a senior on the Virginia women’s tennis team, advanced at the US Open National Playoffs, defeating top-seeded Ayaka Okuno in the opening round of play on Friday 6-1, 6-2.
Elbaba defeated Okuno, the 297th ranked player in the ITA rankings, without dropping a serve the entire match. By virtue of her win over Okuno, Elbaba advances to play in the second round on Saturdaymorning by a player to be determined.
The winner of the US Open National Playoffs – Women’s Singles Championship advances to the US Open qualifying Tournament, held Aug. 25-28 at the USTA Billie Jean King tennis center, with a chance to earn a spot in the main draw at the 2015 US Open.