Results (PDF)

RALEIGH, N.C. – The No. 21 University of Florida women's tennis team was in an early hole after dropping the doubles point, but fought back with a ferocious comeback and recorded a 4-3 win over Oklahoma Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend regional hosted by NC State.
 
The second-year Gator, Marlee Zein, sealed the comeback with a dramatic 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 victory on court four over OU's Oleksandra Korashvili. Zein, like the Gators as a whole, managed to erase an early disadvantage and prevailed with clutch play late. The Houston native was nearly bounced in two sets but showed great resolve to not only force a third frame, but to win it as well.
 
Florida's singles play was strong in its dual match opener as Tsveta Dimitrova, Ida Jarlskog, No. 37 McCartney Kessler and Zein all recorded wins in the come-from-behind victory.
 
The Sooners set the tone early by winning the doubles point 2-0. Florida came up short on courts one and three by the same tally, 6-2. Victoria Emma and Kessler were tied at 2-2 with Ivana and Carmen Corley, but the Oklahoma duo rattled off four-straight games while Sydney Berlin and Zein couldn't overcome a 5-0 deficit.
 
Dimitrova and Jarlskog led 3-2 in their match, but saw it go unfinished at 4-3 in favor of OU.
 
After a slow start in doubles, Florida's effort in the early stages of singles was strong and a potential pathway to victory began to emerge. The veterans Dimitrova, Jarlskog and Kessler all posted wins in their respective opening sets. 
 
The club's lone senior, Dimitrova, continued her impressive start to 2020. The Houston transfer, after posting three wins in UF's season-opening tournament in the Bahamas, picked up right where she left off, cruising to a 6-1, 6-1 triumph on court five over Camila Romero. Soon after Jarlskog notched a 6-0, 6-3 victory against Marcelina Podlinska and put UF ahead, 2-1.
 
Moments later Oklahoma evened the score with a win on court six as Jasmine Asghar bested Gator sophomore Sydney Berlin, 6-4, 6-2.
 
From court one, the two-time all-league talent Kessler made it 3-2 in favor of Florida with a 6-2, 6-3 winner over No. 87 Martina Capurro.
 
Again, the advantage wouldn't stay long with Florida, as Oklahoma knotted the tally at 3-3 when Carmen Corley knocked off No. 96 Victoria Emma, 6-2, 6-3.
 
With the score deadlocked at three all, the attention shifted to court four where Zein battled with the senior Korashvili, who won a team-best 17 matches a season ago.
 
With her back against the wall and with a potential trip to the ITA National Team Indoors in the balance, Zein's mental and physical toughness were on full display. Zein shook off the early deficit and by the time the third set rolled around, she was in full control.
 
With the victory, UF improves to 39-4 in dual match season openers.
 
The Gators will now face the winner of this afternoon's contest between host No. 8 NC State and Rice.
 
Up Next
Sunday, Jan. 26 | 1 p.m. ET
No. 21 Florida vs. No. 8 NC State
J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center | Raleigh, N.C.
 
No. 21 Florida vs. Oklahoma
Doubles Results
Ivana Corley/Carmen Corley (Oklahoma) def. McCartney Kessler/Victoria Emma (Florida), 6-2
Ida Jarlskog/Tsveta Dimitrova (Florida) vs. No. 27 Jasmine Asghar/Oleksandra Korashvili (Oklahoma), 3-4 (Unfinished)
Martina Capurro/Camila Romero (Oklahoma) def. Marlee Zein/Sydney Berlin (Florida), 6-2

Doubles order of finish: 1,3,2
 
Singles Results
No. 37 McCartney Kessler (Florida) def. No.87 Martina Capurro (Oklahoma), 6-2, 6-3
Carmen Corley (Oklahoma) def. No. 96 Victoria Emma (Florida), 6-2, 6-2
Ida Jarlskog (Florida) def. Marcelina Podlinska (Oklahoma), 6-0, 6-3
Marlee Zein (Florida) def. Oleksandra Korashvili (Oklahoma), 3-6, 7-6, 6-2
Tsveta Dimitrova (Florida) def. Camila Romero (Oklahoma), 6-1, 6-1
Jasmine Asghar (Oklahoma) def. Sydney Berlin (Florida), 6-4, 6-2

Singles order of finish: 5, 3, 6, 1,2,4
 
 
Quotes from the Court
Head Coach Roland Thornqvist
 
Overall thoughts…
"What an amazing match. After a little disappointment in doubles, we looked really determined to bounce back in singles. OU has some really talented players and we found us at 3-3 with Marlee (Zein) facing perhaps one of the better players in the country in the decider. It was great for our entire team to watch her navigate the pressure of the third set and played fantastic tennis to win."
 
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