Angela Kulikov and Rianna Valdes Win Thoreau Open

Senior Angela Kulikov and recent Trojan graduate Rianna Valdes won the Thoreau Open, their first professional tournament on Saturday, August 17.

After entering the $60K tournament in Concord, Calif. as a wild card pair, the duo defeated some of the top ranked tennis players in the world to reach the final match. After saving five match points in an intense battle, the Trojan tandem won the championship match 7-6 (3), 4-6, 17-15.

"It was a really tough summer for us after falling short at NCAA's and missing our shot to fulfill a dream of competing at the U.S. Open," said Kulikov. "To finish the summer with a win at this high a level and beating opponents that are going to be competing at the U.S. Open next week was extra special.

"I think we discovered that we're good enough to compete with the best, and we'll find our own way to New York one day!"

Kulikov/Valdes finished the 2019 season ranked the No. 3 pair in the nation after falling in the NCAA Semifinals. The duo collected a 29-7 record throughout the season. They defeated 16 nationally ranked teams, including eight in the Top 20. They had a season high ranking of No. 1 and entered the NCAA Doubles Tournament as the top seed in the tournament.

Players Mentioned

Angela Kulikov

Rianna Valdes