Kawai Set for NCAA Singles Championships

The sophomore is the fifth player in program history to earn a berth to the tournament.

Women's Tennis May 19, 2019

Kawai Set for NCAA Singles Championships

The sophomore is the fifth player in program history to earn a berth to the tournament.

	Match 29 – NCAA Singles Championships
When	May 20-25, 2019
Where	USTA National Campus \| Orlando, Fla.
Live Links	Live Stats \| Video \| Tennis Channel \| Illinois Updates \| NCAA Tennis Updates
More Information	Tickets \| Media Guide \| Digital Program \| Stats \| Championship Central \| Singles Bracket

URBANA, Ill. – Fighting Illini sophomore Asuka Kawai is set to compete in the NCAA Singles Championships at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. on Monday. At the UCF and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission event, Kawai will face Duke's No. 11 ranked Maria Mateas in the first round at 10:30 a.m. CT/11:30 a.m. ET.

Heading into championship play, Kawai is ranked 43rd in the national and a 15-9 dual match record, including 8-2 in Big Ten play. The Palatine, Ill. has been the Illini's ace all season long, anchoring court one in every matchup. She has posted eight wins over national ranked opponents, including five in the top 50. Earlier this season, Kawai was named as a unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten Team and became the first Illinois women's tennis athlete to win back-to-back Big Ten Athlete of the Week honors (Feb. 26 and March 5).

This marks the fifth time a player has represented the Orange and Blue at the NCAA Singles Championships. Kawai is also the first player since Cynthya Goulet in 2005 to earn a berth to the tournament.

The Tournament Venue

The NCAA Championships will be played at United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Campus in Orlando, Fla. In Lake Nona, the collegiate tennis area is home to UCF men's and women's tennis program and features 12 hard courts with seating for 1,200 fans. It will be large enough to allow two collegiate matches to be played simultaneously. The area also will feature a two-story pavilion including concessions and locker rooms.

The USTA Player Development division aims to provide the best opportunities to succeed for the next generation of American tennis champions. This new home for American tennis will host every type of tennis event from 10-and-under team tennis events to national championships for those aged 90 and older.

Championship Schedule/Format

The NCAA Individual Championships is a six-match event for men's and women's doubles and singles over six days with the men's and women's doubles and singles champions crowned during the finals matches on Saturday, May 25.

Monday, May 20: Singles First Round – 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET

Tuesday, May 21: Singles Second Round and Doubles First Round – 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET

Wednesday, May 22: Singles and Doubles Round of 16 – 11 a.m. CT / Noon ET

Thursday, May 23: Singles and Doubles Quarterfinals – 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET

Friday, May 24: Singles and Doubles Semifinals – 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET

Saturday, May 25: Singles and Doubles Finals – 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET

*NCAA Singles and Doubles Champions (men and women) are crowned.

How to Watch – Tennis Channel Coverage

The Tennis Channel will provide live coverage of the NCAA Tennis Individual Championships beginning on May 20. Golf Channel's coverage also will include all six matches for men's and women's singles and doubles.

See below for full broadcast schedule throughout the championships (all times Eastern Time). The Tennis Channel can also be viewed online at www.thetennischannel.com or on the Tennis Channel app.

Monday, May 20 (First Round – Singles)

4 pm – 6:30 pm.: (12) matches across 12 courts