Florida junior Olivia Janowicz is off to the best start of her career, and she doesn’t look to be slowing down. In her first six matches, she is undefeated.
In 2010, Janowicz won two matches before her first loss. In 2011, she won one match before her first defeat.
Janowicz won both of her matches on Saturday to begin the pre-qualifying round of the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships. On Sunday, Janowicz beat Iowa’s Ruth Seaborne 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, to guarantee a spot in the qualifying round.
Freshman Danielle Collins also advanced, winning her three matches in swift fashion.
“This was as good as we have ever looked in the pre-qualifying draw of this event,” UF coach Roland Thornqvist said. “Danielle and Olivia both looked powerful, fit and mentally strong during their matches. Not only today, but throughout their three matches to advance.”
After this weekend’s action, Janowicz is a perfect 6-0. Janowicz was 7-5 in tournament play last season.
In her six singles matches, Janowicz has outscored her opponents 81-43 in games. Only two of those matches have gone to a third set.
She and Collins are also undefeated in doubles this season, going 3-0 so far. Janowicz will continue to look ahead to the next match in the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships as she looks for redemption after losing in two sets in the round of 32 during last year’s qualifying.
“I’m proud of how they have performed and look forward to seeing them after a day of rest and back on the court for their next matches,” Thornqvist said.
Janowicz and Collins will join teammates Alexandra Cercone, Caroline Hitimana and Sofie Oyen as they compete in the qualifying round on Tuesday and Wednesday in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Each player will have to win three consecutive matches to move on to the main draw.
“The competition gets more challenging every round of the Riviera, and I’m excited to see how we respond at that next level,” Thornqvist said.
Olivia Janowicz prepares to return a serve in a match against Duke in 2011.
