WACO, Texas - Carol Zhao outlasted Florida's Josie Kuhlman 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the semifinal round of the NCAA Championships on Sunday afternoon, booking a spot in Monday's singles final.
Trailing 4-3 in the second set, Zhao ripped off nine consecutive games to secure the victory. Kuhlman became the first opponent to win a set against Zhao, who had opened NCAA competition with four straight-set victories while surrendering only six games combined through her first three matches.
Zhao will next face North Carolina's Jamie Loeb, ranked No. 7 nationally and seed No. 7 in the draw, in the championship match on Monday at 10 a.m. PT. Zhao is seeking to become Stanford's first NCAA singles champion since Nicole Gibbs in 2013. The Cardinal has produced 16 all-time collegiate singles champions (14 NCAA, 2 AIAW).
In doubles, Caroline Doyle and Ellen Tsay had their impressive tournament run come to an end, falling 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 to defending NCAA champions Maya Jensen and Erin Routliffe of Alabama. Ranked No. 10 nationally, Doyle and Tsay finished the season 31-9 overall and 15-5 in duals, playing all their matches at the No. 2 spot. Doyle and Tsay posted an 11-6 record against nationally-ranked tandems and also captured the Freeman Invitational Championships crown in January.
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No. 2 Carol Zhao
First Round - May 20: d. No. 48 Paige Hourigan (GATECH) 6-1, 6-1
Second Round - May 21: d. No. 85 Sophie Watts (FS) 6-0, 6-2
Round of 16 - May 22: d. No. 43 Zsofi Susanyi (CAL) 6-2, 6-0
Quarterfinals – May 23: d. No. 21 Chanelle Van Nguyen (UCLA) 6-4, 7-5
Semifinals – May 24: d. No. Josie Kuhlman (FLA) – 2-6, 6-4, 6-0
Championship – May 25: vs. No. 7 Jamie Loeb (UNC) – 10 a.m. PT
No. 25 Caroline Doyle
First Round - May 20: d. No. 77 Despoina Vogasari (HOU) 6-3, 6-4
Second Round - May 21: lost to No. 1 Robin Anderson (UCLA) 6-2, 6-4
No. 19 Taylor Davidson
First Round - May 20: lost to No. 15 Danielle Collins (UVA) 6-3, 6-3
No. 2 Taylor Davidson/Carol Zhao
First Round - May 21: d. No. 15 Emina Bektas/Alex Najarian (MICH) 6-4, 6-2
Round of 16 – May 22: d. No. 16 Jamie Loeb/Caroline Price (UNC) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
Quarterfinals – May 23: lost to No. 6 Brooke Austin/Kourtney Keegan (FLA) 6-0, 1-6, 6-4
No. 10 Caroline Doyle/Ellen Tsay
First Round - May 21: d. No. 22 Joanna Henderson/Caitlyn Williams (TENN) 6-0, 6-7 (5), 6-2
Round of 16 – May 22: d. No. 7 Maegan Manasse/Denise Starr (CAL) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
Quarterfinals – May 23: d. No. 4 Beatrice Gumulya/Jessy Rompies (CLEM) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
Semifinals – May 24: lost to No. 1 Maya Jensen/Erin Routliffe (ALA) 5-7, 6-3, 6-0
