2018 Win over Cal at Pac-12

Cougars Cap Incredible Comeback with 4-3 win over No. 45 California

| By: Washington State Athletic Communications
OJAI, Calif. – Down but not out, the No. 48 Washington State tennis team rallied from a 3-1 deficit to cap an incredible comeback over No. 45 California in a Pac-12 Championship quarterfinal match Thursday at the Weil Tennis Courts that lasted just over five hours. With the win, WSU improves to 21-6 on the season and reaches its first Pac-12 Championship semifinal in program history.

Trailing 3-1, the comeback began at No. 6 where Melisa Ates rallied from a set down to post a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Hana Mraz, cutting the lead to 3-2. Ates, who improved to 16-2 in dual matches this season, needed four match points to secure the victory.

In the only match of the day involving two ranked players, WSU freshman Michaela Bayerlova had the most improbable comeback, trailing Cal freshman Julia Rosenqvist 6-7, 1-5 before starting her road to victory. Bayerlova, ranked No. 26 and having lost to Rosenqvist in straight sets two weeks ago, saved four match points in the second set before prevailing in a tiebreaker, to force a decisive third set. After exchanging service breaks, Bayerlova took a 5-4 lead before breaking Rosenqvist one final time to capture a 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 victory over the nation's 38th-ranked player.

That win evened the match at 3-3 and set the stage for Tiffany Mylonas at No. 4. Facing a match point while down a set and trailing 5-3, Mylonas displayed the grinder mentality she is known for, making one more shot and never quitting. After tying the score at 5-5 in the second and forcing a tiebreaker, she saved another match point in the tiebreaker before winning 8-6 to force a third set. Going back-and-fourth, Mylonas had multiple chances to close out the win, having two match points each time while up 5-4 and 6-5, but could not capitalize. As the match went to a tiebreaker, Mylonas jumped to a 6-3 lead, but as each previous time, Cal's Maria Smith fought back, saving match points 5 and 6. There would be no No. 7 as Smith's backhand found the net, giving Mylonas the win and the Cougars just their second victory over Cal in 23 meetings, the only other coming during the 2002 season.

The Cougars took the early 1-0 lead after capturing wins at No. 2 and 3 for the opening doubles point. At No. 3, Bayerlova and Aneta Miksovska had little trouble with Olivia Hauger and Smith, winning 6-1. At No. 2, Guzal Yusupova and Mylonas needed six match points before prevailing over Anna Bright and Mraz, 7-5.  The No. 1 match was stopped with Barbora Michalkova and Ates in a tiebreaker. It was the 23rd time in 27 matches WSU has captured the doubles point. Cal's points came when Bright defeated Yusupova at No. 2, Hauger defeated Michalkova at No. 3 and Vivian Glozman defeated Miksovska in three sets at No. 5.

The Cougars will face No. 1-seed Stanford Friday in a semifinal match at 1 p.m.
 
Coach Hart Comments on the Match:
"I am so proud of this team! After losing the first sets on every court, the way our players fought back is a great demonstration of the heart this team has. The displayed the grit and heart of a champion and I could not be more proud of the way the entire team performed. I'm so proud to coach these players. We will now turn our attention to recovering as quickly as we can and get ready for Friday's semifinal."
 
Moments of the Match:
Things You Need to Know:
  • WSU improved to 21-6 on the season, the most wins in program history.
  • Washington State has won the opening doubles point in 23 of 27 matches this season.
  • WSU lost the first set in all six singles matches but came back to win three of those matches.
  • Tiffany Mylonas rallied for her team-best 29th singles win of the season.
  • Freshman Michaela Bayerlova saved four match points in her three-set win over No. 38 Julia Rosenqvist at No. 1. Bayerlova improved to 7-3 against nationally-ranked players with the win.
  • Sophomore Melisa Ates improved to 25-6 on the season, 15-2 in dual matches.
  • The nation's 84th-ranked doubles team of Guzal Yusupova and Tiffany Mylonas improved to 21-2 this season, all coming at No. 2.
  • Washington State won for just the second time in 23 meetings against California, the last coming in 2002.
 
WASHINGTON STATE TENNIS
No. 48 Washington State 4 def. No. 45 California 3
April 26, 2018
Ojai Valley Athletic Club
Ojai, Calif.
 
DOUBLES
  1. Barbora Michalkova/Melisa AtesGuzal Yusupovaia Rosenqvist/Vivian Glozman (Cal) 6-6 DNF
  2. No. 84 Guzal Yusupova/Tiffany Mylonas (WSU) def. Anna Bright/Hana Mraz (Cal) 7-5
  3. Michaela Bayerlova/Aneta Miksovska (WSU) def. Olivia Hauger/Maria Smith (Cal) 6-1
Order of Finish: 3,2
 
SINGLES
  1. No. 26 Michaela Bayerlova (WSU) def. No. 38 Julia RGuzal Yusupova) 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-4
  2. No. 42 Anna Bright (Cal) def. Guzal Yusupova (WSU) 6-3, 6-4
  3. No. 47 Olivia Hauger (Cal) def. Barbora Michalkova (WSU) 6-2, 6-1
  4. Tiffany Mylonas (WSU) def. Maria Smith (Cal) 3-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5)
  5. Vivian Glozman (Cal) def. Aneta Miksovska (WSU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-1
  6. Melisa Ates (WSU) def. Hana Mraz (Cal) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
Order of Finish: 3,2,5,6,1,4
 
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