Oregon alumna Alyssa Tobita, a 2014 Mililani graduate, began her professional career on Sunday with a win in the Tennis Championships of Honolulu.
Tobita, a two-time All-Pac-12 second-team selection while with the Ducks, swept former World No. 18 Alexandra Stevenson 6-1, 6-4 in the first event of a five-week U.S. Open Wild Card Challenge Series.
The 37-year-old Stevenson advanced to the semifinals at Wimbledon in 1999.
“I’m in shock. [Stevenson] really pushed me to the end. I knew she was going to be a tough opponent since she has had a lot of experience playing on the tour,” Tobita said in a post-match interview. “Playing my first pro tournament here is special because I am at home.”
After the TCOH event in Hawaii, Tobita will play in the USTA Pacific Northwest Championships in Tacoma, Wash., at the end of July.
TCOH continues this week at the University of Hawaii. The event includes a weeklong schedule of community festivities, including complimentary tennis clinics for children and adults. Admission is free from July 8-9. Starting July 10, admission fees will apply.
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