Photograph by Miya Tanner for Texas Student Media
Whitney Osuigwe, above, has been quite visible at the H-E-B Women’s Pro Tennis Open at the Texas Tennis Center, but she’s actually been efficient on the court. The 22-year-old from Bradenton, Fla., has reached today’s singles quarterfinals and doubles semifinals without having lost a set. Osuigwe and partner Alana Smith have already won two doubles titles this year, a W75 in Lexington, Kentucky, and a W35 in Spring, Texas. The two certainly look relaxed in Austin. “I think me and Alana just like to laugh and have fun together so that’s always a big key for us,” Osuigwe said after their win on Thursday. They will face the fourth-seeded Chinese team of Jiangxue Han and Yuija Huang in the last match on Court 3. But first on that court, Osuigwe will face eighth-seeded Carol Zhao, who advanced when Caty McNally lost the last 10 points despite serving for the match at 5-4.
Also pulling double duty today is Karina Miller, who faces Jaimee Fourlis on Court 2 at 10 a.m. for another spot in the singles semifinals. Miller then will team with Amelia Honer to face Daie El Jardi and Thaisa Grana Pedretti on the last scheduled match on Court 3. In the second quarterfinal on Court 3, Malaika Rapolu, the former Longhorn player and Austin area local, faces Rinon Okuwaki of Japan. In the seond match on Court 2, fifth-seeded Sophie Chang of Baltimore will face Haruka Kaji of Japan.
By the way, Friday marks the first day the tournament will employ ballkids — well, actually, they are ball adults, but it’s the spirit and energy that counts.