Set Thriller Closes Charlotte’s Win Over Florida Atlantic

TAMPA, Fla. — Sara Suchankova rebounded from a first-set setback to defeat Malika Amirgaliyeva 2–6, 6–4, 6–1 at No. 3 singles, clinching a 4–3 win for Charlotte Women's Tennis on Saturday in its neutral-site showdown with Florida Atlantic.

"It's always hard to come to Florida in the hot, heavy conditions and beat a team," head coach Anthony Davison said. "Especially going down early, we had to show some real grit to get through. There are things we need to work on, especially in doubles, but we're proud of the toughness we showed to win today."

Florida Atlantic claimed the doubles point with wins on courts one and two. Panna Bartha and Katrin Pavkova defeated No. 16 Sara Suchankova and Ni Xi 6–4 at the top spot, while Amirgaliyeva and Alexia Patru earned a 6–3 decision over Lucia Aranda and Yelyzaveta Chainykova at No. 2.

Charlotte picked up a win on court three, where Andrea Chacon and Shona Nakano topped Malwina Rowinska and Maya Shanok 6–3.

In singles, the 49ers claimed four of six courts to secure the team victory.

No. 99 Xi earned a 6–4, 7–5 win over Bartha at No. 1. Aranda followed with a 7–6 (5), 6–2 decision against Pavkova on court four, and Prisca Abbas posted a 6–0, 6–3 victory over Lucia Cassidy at No. 6.

Florida Atlantic picked up points at No. 2, where Rowinska defeated Nakano 6–1, 6–1, and at No. 5, as Patru rallied past Chainykova 3–6, 6–2, 6–1.

Up Next

Charlotte welcomes Charleston Southern to the Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex on Friday for an 11 a.m. dual. It's the 17th all-time meeting in the series, with the 49ers taking home victories in each of the last six meetings.

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