Kawai Continues Historic Run with NCAA Singles Quarterfinals Berth

Wednesday, May 22

Orlando, Fla.

4 PM CT

University of Illinois

NCAA Singles Championships

Kawai Continues Historic Run with NCAA Singles Quarterfinals Berth

May 22, 2019 | Women's Tennis

The sophomore is the first Illini in program history to reach the NCAA Singles Quarterfinals.

	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 upsets No. 7 seed Alexa Graham of North Carolina in straight sets to advance to the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championships on Wednesday evening at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla.

"First of all, I'm certainly through the roof for Asuka (Kawai), her achievements, and what she did today and continues to do in this tournament," said head coach Evan Clark.

Ranked No. 43 in the latest Oracle/ITA Division I Women's rankings, Kawai earned her 11th ranked victory in singles play and first in the top 10 this season. The unanimous All-Big Ten selection defeated Graham, 7-5, 6-3. With a slow start, Kawai was down 5-1 in the first set, but was able to battle back to win the first set, 7-5. The Palatine, Ill. native carried the momentum into the second set (6-3) to win in straight sets. Kawai improves to 18-9 in singles play since the beginning of the spring season.

"I continue to be impressed with how Asuka (Kawai) handles the moment and the stage she is on," noted Clark. "She has handled her mental stability beautifully throughout the tournament. To be down 5-1 in the first set and come back to win shows you how she is currently operating."

The unanimous All-Big Ten selection is the first Illini in program history advancing to the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championships. Before Kawai, the highest Illini finish during the NCAA Singles Championships was Illinois Athletics Hall of Famer, Lindsey Nimmo Bristow, who played in the Round of 32 in 1991 and 1993.

Kawai will face either No. 1 seed Estela Perez-Somarriba of Miami or 77th-ranked Paola Delgado of VCU. The sophomore has yet to face either Perez-Somarriba and Delgado this season.

Perez-Somarriba is a three-time ITA All-American in singles play, two-time ACC Player of the Year, and three-time First Team All-ACC honoree. Last season, Perez-Somarriba was named ITA National Player to Watch due to a 39-8 singles record. Delgado is a two-time All-Atlantic 10 First Team honoree and 2019 Atlantic 10 Most Outstanding Performer. Match times and court assignments for the Quarterfinals will be announced later tonight.

"We started to see some of Asuka's best tennis at times today so that is exciting," said Clark. "Once again, she is pleased with where she is at, but she certainly knows her best tennis is ahead of her."

Singles Main Draw

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

Round of 32 (May 21) – def. No. 50 Brienne Minor (Michigan), 6-3, 7-6(11)

Round of 16 (May 22) – def. No. 7 Alexa Graham (North Carolina), 7-5, 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