FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FIU women's tennis team wrapped up its first fall tournament of the 2022-23 campaign on Sunday afternoon at the Bedford Cup, hosted by FGCU, as the Panther duo of Kamila Umarova and Ekaterina Khairutdinova finished runner-up in the Green A Doubles main draw to highlight one of three runner-up finishes for FIU this weekend in Fort Myers.
 
"It is always exciting to start the season and get our first matches in," said head coach Katarina Petrovic. "We are aware of what we need to improve and get better at after this weekend and am looking forward to attacking those areas of improvement and getting back to work on the court this week."
 
In addition, Kristina Miletic bounced back with a run to the Blue B Singles Consolation finals after slipping in the opening round of the main draw, while Miletic and Salma Loudili also rallied to finish as finalists in the Blue B Doubles Consolation draw.
 
Overall, the Panthers collected nine wins on the weekend.
 
GREEN A DOUBLES – MAIN DRAW
Umarova and Khairutdinova proved to be a deadly tandem in their first matches of the season together, receiving a bye into the quarterfinals prior to coming away with decisive victories over USF's Lauren Perello and Cliona Walsh, 6-2, prior to downing FGCU's Emma Bardet and Ida Ferding in the semifinals, 6-1. The duo would then be tested with a matchup in the finals against North Florida's Jasmin Makela and Isabel Oliviera, as the Panther tandem battled hard, though, the Osprey duo would edge the Panthers, 6-8, for the Green A Doubles crown.
 
BLUE B DOUBLES – MAIN/CONSOLATION DRAW
Kristina Miletic and Salma Loudili represented FIU in the Blue B Doubles main draw, receiving a bye into the semifinals, though, falling to FGCU's Fanny Norin and Amelia Kopel, 6-4, to move into the consolation semifinals. The duo then responded with a 6-2 decision over FAU's Maya Shanok and Amber McGinnis before coming up just short in the consolation finals with a hard-fought matchup against FAMU's Reagan Harris and Claudia Sumaia, 9-7.
 
GREEN A SINGLES – MAIN DRAW
No. 119 Kamila Umarova and Ekaterina Khairutdinova entered the weekend with first-round byes into the Round of 16, as Umarova edged out a three-set battle with FAU's Katerina Filip, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 10-6, while Khairutdinova also found herself in a tight matchup with USF's Perello before pulling away in the second set for her first career singles win as a Panther, 7-6 (6), 6-2. Unfortunately, both Panthers would then slip in the quarterfinals, as Umarova fell to FGCU's Bardet, 6-7 (6), 6-2, 5-10, to see her singles run come to an end, while Khairutdinova also fell in three to North Florida's Makela, 4-6, 6-4, 8-10.
 
Salma Loudili picked up her first career win as a Panther on Friday, edging FAU's Oliviera in a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) battle in the opening round prior to slipping in the Round of 16 to UNF's Makela, 4-6, 4-6.
 
BLUE B SINGLES – MAIN/CONSOLATION DRAW
Kristina Miletic represented FIU in the Blue B Singles main draw, falling to USF's Kiana Mokhtari, 4-6, 3-6, though, rallying in the consolation draw for a pair of quarterfinals and semifinals wins. The senior dropped FAMU's Harris in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5, before grinding out a three-set win over another Rattler in Sara Rakim, 4-6, 6-3, 10-6.
 
Miletic then advanced to face FGCU's Kopel in the consolation finals, though, coming up short in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, to conclude the run as the consolation runner-up.   
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will compete at the UTR Boca Raton on Oct. 2-5 prior to traveling to Atlanta, Ga., for ITA Regionals on Oct. 13-18.
 
FIU then closes the fall with its FIU Invitational on Oct. 28-30 at the FIU Tennis Courts.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUWTENNIS), Twitter (@FIUWTENNIS), and Facebook (Facebook.com\FIUWTN) for all the latest Women's Tennis news.
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.