Mijacika Ends Historic Run At Riviera/ITA All American Championships

Oct. 7, 2007

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – Clemson women’s tennis player Ani Mijacika fell short in the finals at the Riviera/ITA All American Championships on Sunday, ending her historic run in the tournament. The Tiger sophomore was the first player in school history to reach the final round of the event, which began in 1983.

Mijacika was defeated by California’s ninth-ranked Suzi Babos, the defending champion, in three sets (7-5, 2-6, 6-2) at the Riviera Tennis Club in Pacific Palisades, CA. She is now 7-1 on the year.

“It was a really close match,” Mijacika said. “She (Babos) just had the answers and was able to finish today.”

“I was really happy with the way I played this week overall, but I didn’t feel I had my best game today.”

Babos edged Mijacika in the first set, recording the only break of the frame. The two players faced several deuces in the final game with Mijacika serving a crucial ace to save one break point. However, she was unable to hold the serve in the final game and fell 7-5.

Mijacika then broke Babos’ serve early in the second set and carried the momentum throughout the stanza. She went ahead 3-1 with back-to-back games and then recorded her second break of Babos at 5-2. Mijacika then held serve to close out the set, 6-2, and force a third frame.

Each player held her first two serves of the third set, but Babos broke Mijacika at 4-2 and won the next two games to claim the tournament title.

The Clemson women’s tennis team will return to action at the Wilson/ITA Southeast Regional. The 2007 event is scheduled to begin on Oct. 17 in Chapel Hill, NC.