Stearns wins ITF 25k Sumter singles title

SUMTER, S.C. — University of Texas freshman Peyton Stearns claimed the singles title at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) pro circuit 25k tournament on Saturday evening at the Palmetto Tennis Center. This marked the first career ITF title (either singles or doubles) for Stearns.

Due to inclement weather expected in the Sumter area on Sunday, the tournament played its semifinal contests and the championship match on Saturday. In Saturday morning's semifinal, Stearns posted a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 victory against WTA-ranked No. 300 Marcela Zacarias in a hard-fought match that lasted two hours and 20 minutes. Stearns returned to the courts about four hours later and claimed a dominant 6-1, 6-2 win against WTA No. 368 Fernanda Contreras Gomez in the championship match.

Stearns, who entered the week at No. 484 in the current WTA rankings, won a total of five matches in a five-day span (June 16-19) in her run through the tournament's 32-player main draw. She posted straight-set victories in four of her five victories. All five of her main draw opponents were ranked among the top 550 players in the current WTA rankings, including four in the top 400.

Peyton Stearns' run to the ITF 25k Sumter singles title (June 16-19)

Date	Round	Opponent	Result
June 16	Round of 32	WTA #548 Erika Sema	W, 6-1, 6-2
June 17	Round of 16	WTA #397 Sophie Chang	W, 6-3, 6-0
June 18	Quarterfinals	WTA #308 Ana Sofia Sanchez	W, 6-2, 6-2
June 19	Semifinals	WTA #300 Marcela Zacarias	W, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
June 19	Championship	WTA #368 Fernanda Contreras Gomez	W, 6-1, 6-2

The University of Texas at Austin Athletics

Players Mentioned

Peyton Stearns