Charleston, S.C. — Junior Joana Vale Costa defeated Italy’s Francesca Fusinato 6-0, 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinal of the Charleston 10K Thursday at the LTP Tennis Club.
Fusinato, a member of the All-ACC second team last season, is ranked 44 in the ITA preseason poll going into her junior year at Virginia Tech. The Feltre, Belluno, Italy native also owns a 906 WTA ranking.
Vale Costa opened the tournament Tuesday with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Lauren Herring. Herring played for Georgia and finished her career as a five-time All-American and wrapped up last season ranked fifth in the ITA. Herring is ranked 598 in the WTA and was the top competitor in the main draw.
Vale Costa returns to the courts Friday to take on Caroline Price. Price competed at UNC where she was a two-time All American and helped lead the Tar Heels to two ITA National Indoor team Championships.
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Charleston 10K
First Round
Joana Vale Costa def. Lauren Herring 3-6, 6-4, 6-0
Second Round
Joana Vale Costa def. Francesca Fusinato 6-0, 6-2