Kawai Advances to Second Round of NCAA Singles Championships

The sophomore defeated Duke’s No. 11 Maria Mateas in three-sets.

Women's Tennis May 20, 2019

Kawai Advances to Second Round of NCAA Singles Championships

The sophomore defeated Duke’s No. 11 Maria Mateas in three-sets.

	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

ORLANDO, Fla. – Fighting Illini women's tennis sophomore Asuka Kawai moved into the second round of singles competition on Monday morning at the NCAA Championships after a three-set victory over No. 11 Maria Mateas of Duke at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla.

"I'm so happy for Asuka (Kawai) as she has worked very hard and is very deserving of the result today," said head coach Evan Clark. "She did a great job of managing the match especially the big points and that was the difference today."

Ranked No. 43 in the latest Oracle/ITA Division I Women's rankings, Kawai earned her ninth ranked victory in singles play and first in the top 15 this season. The unanimous All-Big Ten selection defeated Mateas, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. Kawai was able to battle back after falling in the first set, 3-6. This marked the second time this season that the Palatine, Ill. native faced Mateas this season. On February 3 at Duke, Kawai fell to Mateas, 4-6, 6-3, 0-1 (8-10). Kawai improves to 16-9 in singles play since the beginning of the spring season.

Kawai will meet No. 50 Brienne Minor from Michigan on Tuesday during the second-round matchup. Minor is a two-time ITA All-American and four-time All-Big Ten honoree that won the 2017 NCAA Singles Tournament. Minor defeated California's Olivia Hauger, 6-1, 6-4, on Monday morning.

She is the second Illini in program history to reach the second round at the NCAA Singles Championships and first since Illinois Athletics Hall of Famer, Lindsey Nimmo Bristow, in 1993. Match times and court assignments will be announced later today.

"I know she is excited about today, but she is certainly looking for more," noted Clark. "Tomorrow will be another battle, but I know she is excited to for another great opportunity."

Singles Main Draw

Round of 64 (May 20) – def. No. 11 Maria Mateas (Duke), 3-6, 6-2, 6-3

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