Florida Gator Lauren Embree advanced to the round of 16 last season in the Riviera/ITA All-American Tournament before losing out to 35th-ranked Petra Niedermayerova of Kansas State, 6-1, 6-4. But this year, she has come back with a vengeance.
The sixth-ranked Embree won both of her matches on Friday afternoon to advance to the semifinals of the Tournament.
The senior cruised past her first matchup against Penn State’s 52nd-ranked Petra Januskova in two sets, 6-1, 6-0.
In the quarterfinals, Tennessee’s 18th-ranked Brynn Boren tested the No. 3 seed Embree but could not pull through. Embree won in three sets, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-3.
Although this is Embree’s first collegiate tournament of the year, she has been on fire. Embree won her first three matches to start off the year undefeated, and she has been winning in dominating fashion.
She outscored her opponents in games by a total of 42-17 in those three matches in the Riviera. This tournament should not be taken lightly though.
The ITA All-American is one of three grand slam tournaments in collegiate tennis, and Embree looks to win it all.
Last year, former Gator Allie Will won the All-American Tournament, but then she went on to play professional tennis.
