Bradley University Athletics

Wijesinghe Advances at ITA Central Regional Championships

Bradley junior knocks off Nebraska player in the opening round of the tournament's 128-player singles draw

ITA Central Regional Hub

Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications Women's Tennis 10/19/2017 6:02:00 PM

LAWRENCE, KS - Bradley junior Malini Wijesinghe was a late addition into the 128-player singles draw at the ITA Central Regional Championships, presented by Oracle, but she made the most of her late inclusion as an alternate by earning a first-round win, highlighting the opening day of competition for the Braves Thursday.

Wijesinghe teamed with senior Alexa Brandt for Bradley's lone entry in the 64-team doubles draw, but the Braves suffered an 8-4 loss to Iowa's Crawford/Reimchen duo to get the day started. Originally listed as an alternate when the 128-player singles draw was announced Wednesday, Wijesinghe was granted a spot in the field following Wednesday night's coaches meeting and she responded with a 6-2, 6-3 victory against Nebraska's Emily Rees. Wijesinghe will face Oklahoma's Malene Stripp Friday.

Also competing in the singles draw Thursday, freshman Sandra Maletin suffered a 7-5, 6-2 loss to Kansas' Tatiana Nikolaeva, Brandt dropped a hard-fought, 7-6, 6-4 decision to Tulsa's Alexandrina Chinikova and freshman Victoria Gonzalez lost a 6-3, 6-2 decision to Nebraska's Hayle Haakenstad. All three players will drop into the consolation bracket.

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