The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
ITA National Indoor
Boxx Wins Epic Match At National Indoor
11/3/2011 | Women's Tennis
Nov. 3, 2011
FLUSHING, N.Y. - Ole Miss senior Kristi Boxx won an epic three-set match against Kansas State's Petra Niedermayerova in the first round of the USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships here Thursday at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center. With the 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(4) win, Boxx advances to the round of 16 for the second time in her career.
Boxx, ranked No. 22 in the nation, got off to a slow start down a set and 4-0 to Niedermayerova, ranked 35th in the country. The All-American from Grenada rallied including holding off a couple match points to force a tiebreaker. Boxx gained control of the tiebreaker early on and won it 7-3 to force the decisive set.
"She started off really well in the second set. I was thinking hang in there and keep fighting for every ball. I got it back to 4-4 and then she started losing her confidence. I was getting more confident and started dictating play," said Boxx on the turnaround.
In a match with plenty of momentum changes, Boxx used the second set tiebreak to go up 5-2 in the third. However, Niedermayerova picked up her game and won four straight for a 6-5 lead. Boxx tied it up again. At 4-4 in the tiebreaker, Boxx served an ace leading to a 7-4 win.
"There was a lot of momentum switches. She's a good player, so I am really excited to be able to pull out the win," said Boxx. "I may have let up a little at 5-3 [in the third], but she picked up her game. In both tiebreakers I started off serving and had an ace both times. I played really well in the second set tiebreak. I had to work really hard in the last tiebreak to come out on top. I served much better in the tiebreakers than I did the rest of the match."
Boxx will face the No. 4 seed Mallory Burdette of Stanford in the second round Friday at 11:30 a.m. CT. Burdette, who is ranked No. 17 in the nation, downed Ana Veselinovic of Auburn Montgomery 6-2, 6-2.
In first round doubles, Boxx and Abby Guthrie lost to Alex Kelleher and Olga Khmylev of Boston College 8-5. They will play the Oklahoma duo of Marie-Pier Huet and Whitney Ritchie in the consolation Friday at 8:30 a.m. CT.
Fans can follow live scoring of all the action at the National Indoor by going to www.OleMissSports.com and clicking on the link in the calendar. Also go to www.USTA.com for a live chat during the tournament.
Follow the Rebels on twitter at @OleMissWTennis and on facebook at www.facebook.com/OleMissWTennis.
USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships - FLUSHING, N.Y.
Singles
First round -- Kristi Boxx (OM) def. Petra Niedermayerova (KSU) 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(4).
Doubles
First round -- Alex Kelleher/Olga Khmylev (BC) def. Boxx/Abby Guthrie (OM) 8-5.
