Blue Devils Drop Heartbreaker to Virginia at ACC Championships

Friday, April 23

Rome, Ga.

9:00 AM

Duke University

Virginia (ACC Tournament)

Photo by: Anthony McClellan

Blue Devils Drop Heartbreaker to Virginia at ACC Championships

4/23/2021 3:21:00 PM | Women's Tennis

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ROME, Ga. – Duke women's tennis dropped a heartbreaker in the quarterfinal round of the ACC Championship Friday afternoon, as the 14th-ranked Blue Devils fell, 4-2, to 13th-ranked Virginia in a back-and-forth affair.

The Blue Devils faced a stiff challenge right out of the gate, as the Cavaliers were able to secure the doubles point. No. 7 Meible Chi/Margaryta Bilokin were unable to generate momentum against a fierce start from Virginia's No. 29 duo of Emma Navarro/Rosie Johanson, falling 1-6. No. 35 Kelly Chen/Georgia Drummy also faced a quick start from the Cavaliers and could not recover, falling 3-6.

While No. 9 Chloe Beck/Karolina Berankova were in a tight match on court two, they were unable to finish and led 5-4 at the conclusion of doubles play.

The fast start by Virginia carried into singles with two early first set victories against Chen and Bilokin. However, Drummy was able to buck the trend, earning a break and taking the first set 6-4. Chi was able to follow suit shortly thereafter, securing a late break of serve to take her opening set 6-4. Berankova dropped a hard fought first set against Virgina's Sofia Munera, falling 4-6.

Rain rolled into the area and the Blue Devils faced a weather delay midway through singles, with all but one singles match making it through the first set. Matches were forced indoors, and play resumed after a nearly two-hour delay.

The adjustment to the indoor courts proved more fruitful for the Blue Devils, as Beck was able to lock down her opening set in a 7-6 tiebreaker, while Bilokin delivered a bounce back showing to earn an early break and lead 4-2 in the second set. However, the Cavaliers secured their second point of the day as Bernakova fell 6-4, 6-2.

Over on court two, Drummy built a commanding lead, taking two breaks to go up, 4-0, in the second set. After already securing the first set, the Dublin, Ireland native relinquished just one more game, en route to a 6-4, 6-1 victory over No. 9 Natasha Subhash. Not only did the victory shave the Blue Devils deficit to 2-1, but it also marked the highest ranked victory of Drummy's collegiate career, as well as the first top-10 win.

Back-and-forth action continued throughout the afternoon, with Chi and Beck remaining on serve in the second sets, while Bilokin extended her lead to 5-2. After a hold from Virginia's Amber O'Dell, Bilokin locked down a tremendous second set victory to even her match at 1-1.

Virginia reestablished a two-point lead after Chen fell 6-1, 6-4 to the No. 2 ranked player in the nation in Navarro. The Blue Devils quickly responded, as Chi was able to secure a late break after being tied, 5-5, in the second set and record a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Shaikh and cut the deficit to 3-2.

With two matches remaining, both Beck and Bilokin battled through extremely competitive matches. Bilokin was tied at 2-2 in the third set, while Beck was down 4-5 in her second. Fortunes were mixed from there, as Beck was able to break back to force a tiebreaker at 6-6. However, Bilokin suffered two late breaks and could not complete a comeback, allowing Virginia to take the match, while Beck was in the midst of her second set tiebreaker.

The Blue Devils (15-6) will now turn their attention to the NCAA Championship selection show on Monday, May 3 at 6 p.m. with eyes on an at-large bid to the event.

For more information on Duke women's tennis, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "DukeWTEN".

No. 13 Virginia 4, No. 14 Duke 2
Doubles
1. #29 Emma Navarro/Rosie Johanson (UVA) def. #7 Meible Chi/Margaryta Bilokin (DU) – 6-1
2. #9 Chloe Beck/Karolina Berankova (DU) vs. #16 Natasha Subhash/Sofia Munera (UVA) – 5-4, Unfinished
3. Vivian Glozman/Hibah Shaikh (UVA) def. #35 Kelly Chen/Georgia Drummy (DU) – 6-3

Singles
1.   #2 Emma Navarro (UVA) def. #44 Kelly Chen (DU) – 6-1, 6-4
2.   #35 Georgia Drummy (DU) def. #9 Natasha Subhash (UVA) – 6-4, 6-1
3.   #40 Chloe Beck (DU) vs. #100 Rosie Johanson (UVA) – 7-6, 6-6, Unfinished
4.   #37 Meible Chi (DU) def. Hibah Shaikh (UVA) – 6-4, 7-5
5.   Amber O'Dell (UVA) def. Margaryta Bilokin (DU) – 6-1, 3-6, 6-2
6. Sofia Munera (UVA) def. Karolina Berankova (DU) – 6-4, 6-2

Finish:
Doubles – 1, 3
Singles – 6, 2, 1, 4, 5

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