FORT MYERS, Florida (Oct. 4, 2019) - The FIU women's tennis team opened a new season on the courts Friday afternoon, as the Panthers closed out the opening day of the Bedford Cup in Fort Myers, Florida. 

FIU's Kamila Umarova led the way on Friday, as the Panther advanced to the semifinals of her singles A bracket after a pair of victories. Umarova, who is seeded first overall in her singles bracket, defeated Domenika Turkovic, 7-5-3-6, 10-8 before downing Sara Kelly in the quarterfinals after her foe retired due to injury. Umarova also picked a doubles win with partner Marina Alcaide over the tandem of Ashirova and Renault, 7-6(5). 

Sandra Bozinovic also earned a pair of singles victories in the B bracket, after downing Danel Ashirova, 7-6(3), 6-3 and Constanza Gorches, 7-5, 6-4, to advance to the semifinals on Saturday. Bozinovic and partner Maria Turrillo fell to Berlin and Dimitrova, 6-3, in doubles action. 

Sophomore Basak Akbas earned a 7-6(7), 3-6, 10-5 victory over Alexandria Mjos in her opening round, before falling 6-3, 6-2 to Ana Paula Melilo quarterfinals action. In doubles play, Akbas and partner Kristina Miletic were unable to overcome Melilo and Montano, 6-4. 

Transfer Marina Alcaide impressed in her first action as a Panther, as the Spanish native defeated third-seeded Radka Buzkova, 6-2, 6-4, before falling to Lucia Montano, 7-5, 7-6(2). Alcaide also picked up a doubles victory with partner Umarova. Also in the B singles bracket, fellow newcomer Kristina Miletic split her singles play on Friday, as the freshman earned a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Sean Lodzki in consolation play after falling in the round of 16.

In the C bracket, freshman Francisca Vergara earned a victory over Alba Retortillo, 6-1, 3-6, 10-7 to advance to the semifinals. Maria Turrillo picked up a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Selin Yaylali in the same bracket before falling in the quarterfinals to round out action for FIU on Friday afternoon. 

UP NEXT
The Panthers will continue play at the Bedford Cup on Saturday, with doubles play set to begin at 8:00 a.m. ET and singles soon after. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIUWomensTennis on Instagram and @FIUWomensTennis on Twitter and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.

Singles Play - Bracket: A
Round of 16: (1) Kamila Umarova d. Domenika Turkovic - 7-5, 3-6, 10-8
Quarterfinals: (1) Kamila Umarova d. Sara Kelly - 6-4, 3-3 RET (inj.) 

Round of 16: Basak Akbas d. Alexandria Mjos - 7-6(7), 3-6, 10-5
Quarterfinals: (4) Ana Paula Melilo d. Basak Akbas - 6-3, 6-2

Round of 16: Marina Alcaide d. (3) Radka Buzkova 6-2, 6-4 
Quarterfinals: Lucia Montano d. Marina Alcaide 7-5, 7-6(2) 

Singles Play - Bracket: B
Round of 16: (4) Sandra Bozinovic d. Danel Ashirova - 7-6(3), 6-3 16
Quarterfinals: (4) Sandra Bozinovic d. Constanza Gorches - 7-5, 6-4 Q

Round of 16: Lourdes Ramalle d. Kristina Miletic - 5-7, 6-3, 14-12
Consolation: Kristina Miletic d. Sean Lodzki - 6-4, 6-4

Singles Play - Bracket: C
Round of 16: Maria Turrillo d. Selin Yaylali - 6-3, 6-1
Quarterfinals: (2) Lucie Renault d. Maria Turrillo - 6-7(5); 6-2; 10-6

Quarterfinals: (1) Francisca Vergara d. Alba Retortillo - 6-1, 3-6, 10-7

Doubles Play
(2) Alcaide/Umarova d. Ashirova/Renault - 7-6(5)
Melilo/Montano d. Akbas/Miletic - 6-4
Berlin/Dimitrova d. Bozinovic/Turrillo - 6-3