Oct. 8, 2017
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Fernanda Contreras etched her name into the Vanderbilt women’s tennis history books on Sunday, being crowned the Commodores’ first Rivera/ITA Singles Tournament Champion.
Winning eight-straight matches through qualifying and main draw rounds to reach the finals, No. 63 Contreras upset every opponent along her path to take home the most prestigious tournament title of the fall. The Austin, Texas native joins associate head coach Aleke Tsoubanos (Doubles, 2002/2003), Sarah Riske (Doubles, 2002) and Kelly Schmandt (Doubles, 2003) as the Riviera/ITA champions in school history.
Contreras faced off against fellow qualifier No. 29 Aliona Bolsova from Florida Atlantic for the title. Match-hardened and battle-tested, Contreras came out confident and ready to relish the moment in the championship match taking an early lead. Up 4-2 in the first set, the Vandy junior only allowed Bolsova one additional game before taking the opening set, 6-3.
With the match even at 3-3 in the second set, Contreras again utilized her forehand and serve to earn the upper hand against Bolsova. Serving up 5-3, Contreras took a 30-15 advantage and then the match with an ace to take home the trophy with a 6-3, 6-3 victory.
Adding to the excitement of the win, Contreras clinched her first national title on her 20th birthday. The championship also secured a berth in the 2017 Oracle ITA National Fall Championships, which takes place November 1-5 in Palm Desert, Calif.
#RivieraITA CHAMPION! ?@Vandywtennis and qualifier Fernanda Contreras is your Women’s All-American Champion! pic.twitter.com/1mrHgRxAy0
— ITA Tennis (@ITA_Tennis) October 8, 2017
Fernanda with the hardware! #FightDores #ITAAllAmericans pic.twitter.com/aJ6AslWWiO
— Vandy Women’s Tennis (@Vandywtennis) October 8, 2017
