Tsertsvadze Clinches OU's Third-Straight Shutout

Feb. 3, 2010

NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma women's tennis team claimed its third-straight shutout Wednesday, beating North Texas at home, 7-0.

The Sooners are now 3-0 on the season, marking the program's best start since 2005. OU claimed five of six singles matches in straight sets against the Mean Green. The Sooners have now won straight sets in 16 of 18 singles matches this season.

“I'm obviously thrilled with the win this evening, but also in the manner in which we did it,” OU head coach David Mullins said. “Yes we won 7-0, but to win five of those matches in straight sets against a team like this is phenomenal.”

Ana-Maria Constantinescu and Teona Tsertsvadze, ranked No. 39 nationally in doubles, made their first appearance as a pair against UNT at the No. 1 spot. Constantinescu and Tsertsvadze defeated UNT's Amy Joubert and Irina Paraschiv, 8-4.

The Sooners claimed the early doubles point, winning all three matches. With the wins, Oklahoma has won nine of nine doubles matches this season and has won the doubles point in all three contests.

In singles, Constantinescu returned to the No. 1 spot in her first match of the season, defeating Paraschiv, 6-1, 7-5.

Marie-Pier Huet, ranked No. 9 in the Central Region, played at the No. 2 spot for the first time this season. Huet defeated UNT's Madura Ranganathan, 6-4, 6-3.

Tsertsvadze clinched the shutout for the Sooners at the No. 4 spot, defeating Barbora Vykdalova in the tiebreaker set, 6-1, 2-6, 7-5.

“I was really proud of Teona,” Mullins said. “She had a really tough matchup with (Vykdalova 's) game style, but she fought really hard. She played her best tennis but she also fought really hard. As a freshman, sometimes that is the hardest thing to do.”

“The level is going to jump on Saturday against Alabama,” Mullins said. “If we play the way we did tonight we will have a great chance to win.”

The Sooners face No. 24 Alabama in Norman on Saturday, Feb. 6, at noon as OU women's tennis hosts Campus Kids' Day. All fans in attendance will receive free food, refreshments and a chance to win a brand new tennis racquet.

For more information on Saturday's event click here.

Oklahoma 7, North Texas 0

Doubles
1. #39 Constantinescu/Tsertsvadze (OU) def. Joubert/Paraschiv (UNT), 8-4
2. Eckel/Kalashnikova (OU) def. Vykdalova (UNT), 8-7
3. Connelly/Huet (OU) def. Ranganathan/Kazarova (UNT), 8-2

Singles
1. #56 Ana-Maria Constantinescu (OU) def. Irina Paraschiv (UNT), 6-1, 7-5
2. Marie-Pier Huet (OU) def. Madura Ranganathan (UNT), 6-4, 6-3
3. Maria Kalashnikova (OU) def. Paula Dinuta (UNT), 6-4, 6-3
4. Teona Tsertsvadze (OU) def. Barbora Vykdalova (UNT), 6-1, 2-6, 7-5
5. Kristina Radan (OU) def. Catalina Cruz (UNT), 6-2, 6-4
6. Tara Eckel (OU) def. Amy Joubert (UNT), 6-3, 6-4

Tsertsvadze Clinches OU's Third-Straight Shutout

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