Perianu and Saluri Upset Nation's No. 4 Doubles Team

ATHENS, Ga. -- University of Oklahoma women's tennis senior Anda Perianu (Braila, Perianu) and partner Heather Saluri (Des Moines, Iowa) claimed a huge upset on Tuesday, defeating Florida's fourth-ranked team of Alexis Gordon and Julie Rotondi to advance to the round of 16, in the NCAA Women's Doubles Championship at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Earlier in the day in singles action, second-seeded Perianu defeated William and Mary's No. 1 singles player Megan Muth in a tough three set match to advance to tomorrow's round of 16.

“It was a really great day,” said head coach Mark Johnson. “ First, for Anda to get through a difficult singles match and then to win such a tough doubles match was really pleasing. The doubles match was the best doubles match I have seen Anda and Heather play all season, and definitely the biggest win for them all year. To beat the No. 4 doubles team in the nation was impressive.”

In doubles action, Perianu and Saluri claimed a huge upset over Florida's fourth ranked Alexis Gordon and Julie Rotondi. The 17th-ranked OU duo dropped the first set 6-3 mainly due to unforced errors, but rallied back to take the second set 6-4 and then finished off the match in the third, taking it 6-3. The OU pair now take on Indiana's Linda Tran and Sarah Batty in the round of 16 at 3 p.m., EST. Perianu and Saluri move to 21-10 overall, and push their winning streak to eight.

“It was so awesome to be out there,” said Heather Saluri. “We missed too many shots in the first set but really stepped it up in the second and third sets. We focused a lot harder and had fun out there. We are looking forward to tomorrow's match.”

In singles, Perianu struggled early, dropping the first set 6-1. Perianu came back strongly in the second set taking it 6-3 and then proved too much for Muth running away with the third and final set, 6-1. Perianu now faces Clemson's sixth-ranked Julie Coin on Wednesday, May 26, at 10 a.m., EST. Perianu improves her spring record to 25-1 and enters tomorrow's match on a 21-match winning streak.

“I started off a little slow and had trouble finding my rhythm,” said Perianu. “I picked it up though in the second set though and mentally thoughened up. But after Heather (Saluri) and I played doubles later in the day I felt a lot better, the doubles was just awesome.”

2004 NCAA Individual Championships Results

Singles:
(2) Anda Perianu (OU) def. Megan Muth (W&M), 1-6, 6-3, 6-1

Doubles:
Perianu/Saluri (OU) def. Gordon/Rotondi (UF), 2-6, 6-4, 6-3