MELBOURNE, AUS. - Incoming freshman Stefani Webb won the singles and doubles events at the Australian Junior National Championship this past week. Webb, who will join the Knights in January, went undefeated in the tournament.
In the 18 & U Singles event, Webb took down all but one of her opponents in straight sets. Her first match in the group stage was against Caitlin Baker, who she handedly took down in two sets with a score of 6-0, 6-2. Her other two matches in the group stage had similar results, defeating Cassidy Mataia 6-1, 6-3 and Mia Tsoukalas 6-1, 6-1. Leading her group with three victories, she advanced to the quarter finals on Dec. 8, where she faced Elicia Kim, the lone opponent who took her to three sets. The players were tied at one set apiece, but Webb was able to bounce back after the second set to win the third and the match, 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. After her opponent retired in the second set in the semi final, with a score of 6-2, 4-0, Webb advanced to the singles final to take on Elim Yan. Yan, who is ranked the number 259 ITF Junior, put up a bit of a fight in the first set, but Webb was able to remain in control of the match to win the singles crown by a score of 6-3. 6-1.
The 18 & U Doubles event saw many familiar opponents for Webb, who was partnered with Anja Nayar for the event. The tandem ran into Tsoukalas for the second time this tournament, this time with partner Piper Freeman in the quarter finals of the event, taking them down by a score of 6-0, 6-1. In the semi finals, the duo faced off against Jessica Culley and Ella Nurkic, defeating them to advance to the finals with a score of 6-3, 6-4. The finals turned out to be a rematch of sorts between Webb and Nayar against Yan and her partner Mataia. After Yan and Mataia took the first set 6-3, Webb and Nayar bounced back to win the second set 6-1 to force a tiebreaker set, which the pair won 10-5, securing the doubles championship.
Webb is currently the No. 245 ranked ITF Junior singles player and the No. 860 ranked WTA doubles player. She will join the Knights for the spring dual matches season.
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