Local girls wins USTA National Championship

Sarasota resident Nikki Yanez won the Girls 12 USTA National Championship Aug. 2 through Aug. 8, in Georgia. 

Yanez, who was ranked 17th, defeated Aili Hietala (6-1, 6-1) and Calissa Dellabarca (6-0, 6-1) to open the tournament. 

In the Round of 32, Yanez defeated No. 1 ranked Brooke Theis 7-5, 6-2. She then came from a set down to beat Robin Montgomery 5-7, 6-3, 6-1. 

Yanez then went on to beat Saige Roshkoff 7-6, 7-5 in the quarterfinals and Emma Jackson, who was ranked fourth, in the semifinals 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. 

Yanez captured her first national championship with a 7-5, 7-6 victory over fifth ranked Rachel Arbitman in the finals. 

In addition to her national championship, Yanez also won a pair of Player of the Day awards. 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].