Oct. 5, 2005
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Notre Dame junior tennis player Christian Thompson (Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman H.S.) dropped a three-set match in the qualifying round of the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships Wednesday at the Riviera Tennis Club. Her twin sister, Catrina Thompson (Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman H.S.), also registered a pair of consolation victories, while both Thompsons – the #2-ranked team in the nation and No. 2 seed in the tournament – will commence with main-draw action in doubles on Thursday.
Northwestern junior Alexis Prousis, ranked 50th in the nation, beat Christian Thompson for the third time in the last six months. Wednesday’s contest was by far the closest of those tilts, as Prousis finally prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to earn one of the eight spots in the 32-player main draw that were up for grabs. Thompson reached the match by registering five consecutive straight-set victories – all against nationally-ranked opposition – to move through the prequalifying draw and into the third and final round of qualifying. She was one of just four unranked players to advance that far in the season’s first grand slam.
After losing a tight three-setter in Tuesday’s opening round, Catrina Thompson came back on Wednesday to beat #83 Kady Pooler of Arizona State 6-3, 6-1 and #68 Jackie Carleton of Duke 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 in consolation play. She improved her career record against ranked players to 16-12.
The Thompsons will now concentrate solely on doubles. In the opening round of the 16-team main draw, they will take on the #7-ranked team in the nation, Gabrielle Duch and Neyssa Etienne of South Florida, which this year is a member of the BIG EAST Conference. The Thompsons – runners-up in the All-Americans last year – are the highest-seeded Irish doubles team ever in the event.
The tournament will proceed with one round each day until Sunday’s championship match. Free live internet audio coverage of the final two days will be available on www.radiotennis.com.
Riviera/ITA All-American Championships (October 5)Singles Qualifying#50 Alexis Prousis (Northwestern) d. Christian Thompson (ND) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 - qualifying round#27 Catrina Thompson (ND) d. #83 Kady Pooler (Arizona State) 6-3, 6-1 - consolation#27 Catrina Thompson (ND) d. #68 Jackie Carleton (Duke) 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 - consolation