The play at the Rome Tennis Center was more straightforward, where Maria Genovese, Lailaa Bashir, Luke Simkiss, and Valentino Caratini all advanced to the singles championship. It was smooth sailing in two sets each for the women; however, both men took their semifinal matchup to three sets.
Maria Genovese will face Lailaa Bashir in the ITA Cup women’s singles final. This was the verdict on day two. Maria beat her fellow Grizzly and doubles partner, Eva Siska, in two clean sets. Lailaa Bashir of XULA made quick work of Georgia Gwinnett’s Yelyzaveta Velykorodna to take her down in two sets. While both women have breezed through the main draw – only one will be able to come out on top tomorrow. This isn’t the first final appearance for either student-athletes. Maria lost in the finals last year while Lailaa claimed the doubles crown.
Luke Simkiss will go head-to-head with Valentino Caratini for the ITA Cup men’s singles final tomorrow. Luke’s pathway to the finals has been nothing short of a battle having had two tiebreaks and two, three-set matches. Luke defeated Martin Carrizo of Indiana Wesleyan in an entertaining match – 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. Valentino has battled his way through two three-set matches. Valentino defeated Stefano Di Aloy of Indiana Wesleyan, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the final.
The men’s and women’s singles championship will be available for live-streaming on PlaySight.
Sunday starts the tough business end of doubles competition. Two matches will feature the finalists for the battle of the crowns.
Making another appearance on the court, Lailaa Bashir will compete in doubles with partner Angela Charles-Alfred in order to keep the women’s doubles title. The 2019 Champions will face Maria Genovese and Eva Siska from Georgia Gwinnett.
In a time change, Christopher Papa and Ivan Smith of San Diego Christian will meet up with Martin Carrizo and Stefano Di Aloy of Indiana Wesleyan for the men’s doubles crown at 11:15 AM ET. While Martin and Stefano were unable to make headway in their respective men’s singles matches, the two have come together to tackle doubles.
The men’s and women’s doubles championship will be available for live-streaming on PlaySight.
For more results from day two of the ITA Cup, click here
