Sarena Biria Defeats #7 Lauren Rha; Advances to Semifinals on Sunday

Box Score

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- University of Chicago junior

Sarena Biria became just the fourth player in UChicago history to reach the National Semifinals after taking down the #16 player in the country, Lauren Rha from Pomona-Pitzer.

After winning her first two matches on Friday afternoon, Biria took to the court with a semifinal trip on the line. After falling to Rha 2-6, 5-7 during the regular season, Biria looked to take an early lead, but she was broken in each of her first two service games and fell behind 0-3. Despite the early deficit, Biria did not hesitate and jumped right back, winning 12 of the 15 points to level the match at 3-3 with a pair of breaks of her own. Then, after holding serve, she broke again and held game-love to win the opening set 6-3, winning six consecutive games.

In the second set, Biria broke Rha for the fourth consecutive time to take a 1-0 lead in the second set. During the changeover, Rha called on the trainer to receive medical treatment, and she was unable to continue, retiring from the match. The win for Biria is her ninth of the season against a nationally-ranked opponent.

With the win, Biria sets up a rematch from her #1 singles match in the Team National Quarterfinals on Monday as she takes on the #1 player in the country, Maria Cristiani from Babson. She wil,l