Thursday, October 1
San Francisco, Calif.
Colorado
vs
Day 1
Buffs Secure Doubles Win To Begin Battle In The Bay
October 02, 2026 | Tennis
SAN FRANCISCO - The Colorado Tennis Team secured a dominant doubles win to set the tone for the first of four days at the Battle In The Bay Classic, hosted by the University of California at the California Tennis Club.
The Buffs duo of Lera Alexin and Ema Bubalo, who brought home a doubles victory while in the Bay last year, opened the gate with an 8-4 victory, defeating the ITA's No. 31-ranked doubles team from Pepperdine quickly.
"I thought we played a solid doubles match today," CU Head Coach Anthony Pham said. "We did a nice job of sticking to our game plan and executed well during crucial moments."
Alexin continued the energy into singles play, securing a set from Duke's Ava Krug before falling in three sets. Bubalo continued her day in individual competition as well, taking multiple games before ultimately falling to Cal.
HOW IT HAPPENEDÂ
Play began Thursday morning at 9:45 local time at the oldest tennis club west of the Mississippi. Set to face Pepperdine's Alexia Harmon and Chantal Sauvant, seeded third in the tournament, the Buffs were able to capitalize on opportunities, securing early momentum and defeating the strong Waves duo, 8-4, in a pro set.
With both players prepared to tough high talent throughout the weekend, Bubalo found herself against fifth-seeded Nika Hurkacz from Cal in an early afternoon match. Hurkacz is a freshman who is the younger sister of Hurbert Hurkacz, an ATP tour pro who has been ranked as high as No. 6 in the world.Â
Battling through the first set, Bubalo took the first two games before giving up the third, alternating the lead through the first four games. The narrow competition broke open with Bubalo falling just short to the Poland native, 6-3.Â
Bubalo continued to apply pressure in the second set and forced multiple games to deuce, but she was unable to capitalize, allowing Hurkacz to pull away and take the second set 6-0.
Â
Alexin faced Krug in an early evening match-up, and the two went back and forth in a three-set battle. Krug established the early advantage, taking the first set 6-1 before Alexin responded, taking it 6-4. Â Krug then closed out the match in the third set with a 6-2 victory.Â
UP NEXT
Play will continue Friday morning for the Buffs, with doubles action returning at 10 a.m. local time and singles to happen later in the day.
"There were some bright moments but overall adjustments to make and things to clean up going into tomorrow,"Pham said. "Lera and Ema are looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented tomorrow."
RESULTS
Doubles
Lera Alexin/Ema Bubalo (CU) def. Alexia Harmon/Chantal Sauvant (Pepperdine) 8-4
Singles
Nika Hurkacz (Cal) def. Ema Bubalo (CU) 6-3, 6-0
Ava Krug (Duke) def. Lera Alexin (CU) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
Â
The Buffs duo of Lera Alexin and Ema Bubalo, who brought home a doubles victory while in the Bay last year, opened the gate with an 8-4 victory, defeating the ITA's No. 31-ranked doubles team from Pepperdine quickly.
"I thought we played a solid doubles match today," CU Head Coach Anthony Pham said. "We did a nice job of sticking to our game plan and executed well during crucial moments."
Alexin continued the energy into singles play, securing a set from Duke's Ava Krug before falling in three sets. Bubalo continued her day in individual competition as well, taking multiple games before ultimately falling to Cal.
HOW IT HAPPENEDÂ
Play began Thursday morning at 9:45 local time at the oldest tennis club west of the Mississippi. Set to face Pepperdine's Alexia Harmon and Chantal Sauvant, seeded third in the tournament, the Buffs were able to capitalize on opportunities, securing early momentum and defeating the strong Waves duo, 8-4, in a pro set.
With both players prepared to tough high talent throughout the weekend, Bubalo found herself against fifth-seeded Nika Hurkacz from Cal in an early afternoon match. Hurkacz is a freshman who is the younger sister of Hurbert Hurkacz, an ATP tour pro who has been ranked as high as No. 6 in the world.Â
Battling through the first set, Bubalo took the first two games before giving up the third, alternating the lead through the first four games. The narrow competition broke open with Bubalo falling just short to the Poland native, 6-3.Â
Bubalo continued to apply pressure in the second set and forced multiple games to deuce, but she was unable to capitalize, allowing Hurkacz to pull away and take the second set 6-0.
Â
Alexin faced Krug in an early evening match-up, and the two went back and forth in a three-set battle. Krug established the early advantage, taking the first set 6-1 before Alexin responded, taking it 6-4. Â Krug then closed out the match in the third set with a 6-2 victory.Â
UP NEXT
Play will continue Friday morning for the Buffs, with doubles action returning at 10 a.m. local time and singles to happen later in the day.
"There were some bright moments but overall adjustments to make and things to clean up going into tomorrow,"Pham said. "Lera and Ema are looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented tomorrow."
RESULTS
Doubles
Lera Alexin/Ema Bubalo (CU) def. Alexia Harmon/Chantal Sauvant (Pepperdine) 8-4
Singles
Nika Hurkacz (Cal) def. Ema Bubalo (CU) 6-3, 6-0
Ava Krug (Duke) def. Lera Alexin (CU) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
Â
Players Mentioned
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