UVA Tennis: Julia Elbaba advances to US Open National Playoffs semifinals

Julia Elbaba (Oyster Bay, N.Y.), a senior on the Virginia women’s tennis team, advanced to the semifinals of the US Open National Playoffs on Saturday by defeating Alexis Nelson 6-3, 6-0.

After dropping the first three games to Nelson, Elbaba sparked a furious comeback and won 12 consecutive games on the way to Saturday’s victory.

Elbaba will now face third-seeded Ashley Weinhold in Sunday’s semifinal. The Cavalier defeated top-seeded Ayaka Okuno in the opening round of play before rallying to down Nelson in Saturday’s action.

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.