Cougars Fall at No. 39 Arizona State

TEMPE, Ariz. – Washington State tennis took a 1-0 lead into singles play but could not close out the match as No. 39 Arizona State rallied with four singles victories to take a 4-2 victory against the No. 34 Cougars Friday at the Whiteman Tennis Center. In doubles play the Cougars won easily at No. 3 with a 6-1 victory by Michaela Bayerlova and Aneta Miksovska. The Sun Devils evened the match with a 6-4 victory at No. 1, setting the stage for No. 2 to capture the opening point. WSU's Guzal Yusupova and Tiffany Mylonas battled from a break down early to post a 7-5 win over the No. 45 team in the nation, Savannah Slaysman and Tereza Kolarova, to give the Cougars the 1-0 leading heading into singles. WSU Freshman Michaela Bayerlova increased WSU's lead to 2-0 with a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 1 against the nation's 42nd-ranked player, Lauryn John-Baptiste, but that ended the WSU scoring. The Sun Devils captured the next four singles matches to upset the Cougars. WSU continues its two-match swing through the desert Saturday when it visits Arizona in Tucson. Match time is set for noon.
 
Coach Lisa Hart on the Match:
"There were a lot of very close matches throughout the singles line-up today. Winning the doubles point put us in a positive position and unfortunately, we couldn't capitalize in singles. I'm very proud of the way all of our players fought today. We will focus on recovery now so we are ready to battle Arizona tomorrow."
 
Things You Need to Know:

• With the loss, the Cougars fall to 19-3 on the season, 4-2 in Pac-12 play.
• The Cougars have won the opening doubles point in 19 of 22 matches this season.
• Michaela Bayerlova improved to 5-1 against nationally-ranked opponents this season, and 25-2 in singles play overall.
• Bayerlova and Aneta Miksovska improved to 18-2 in dual matches at No. 3 doubles.
• Junior Tiffany Mylonas and sophomore Guzal Yusupova are now 19-1 in doubles, all coming at the No. 2 position.
• WSU next faces Arizona, Saturday at noon in Tucson.

 
WASHINGTON STATE TENNIS
No. 39 Arizona State 4 def. No. 34 Washington State 2
April 6, 2018
Tempe, Ariz.
 
DOUBLES

1. No. 35 Lauryn John-Baptiste/Ilze Hattingh (ASU) def. Barbora Michalkova/Melisa Ates (WSU) 6-4
2. Guzal Yusupova/Tiffany Mylonas (WSU) def. No. 45 Savannah Slaysman/Tereza Kolarova (ASU) 7-5
3. Michaela Bayerlova/Aneta Miksovska (WSU) def. Nichole Fossa Huergo/Sasa Klanecek (ASU) 6-1

Order of Finish: 3,1,2
 
SINGLES

1. No. 46 Michaela Bayerlova (WSU) def. No. 42 Lauryn John-Baptiste (ASU) 6-4, 6-1
2. Ilze Hattingh (ASU) def. Guzal Yusupova (WSU) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
3. Nicole Fossa Huergo (ASU) def. Tiffany Mylonas (WSU) 7-6, 7-6
4. No. 123 Savannah Slaysman (ASU) def. Aneta Miksovska (WSU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Sasa Klanecek (ASU) def. Barbora Michalkova (WSU) 7-5, 7-5
6. Melisa Ates (WSU) vs. Tereza Kolarova (ASU) 3-6, 7-6, 2-4 DNF

Order of Finish: 1,4,5,3,2