Hibah Shaikh Advances To Florence Open Second Round

FLORENCE, S.C.–  Virginia women’s tennis player Hibah Shaikh has advanced through qualifying to earn a place in the main draw of the McLeod For Health Florence Open, an ITF World Tennis Tour 25K tournament in Florence, S.C.

Shaikh topped Tatum Evans in her opener 6-2, 6-2 before taking down Chieh-Yu Hsu 6-3, 6-2 in the qualifying final.

On Wednesday, Shaikh won 1-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2 against qualifier Alanis Hamilton in the first round of the main draw. She was edged 6-4, 0-6, 7-5 by 8-seed Maria Mateas in the Round of 16.

Annabelle Xu also competed in the qualifying tournament, winning her opener 4-6, 6-2, 10-8 against fellow Canadian Chelsea Fontenel before being edged 1-6, 6-2, 11-9 by Monika Ekstrand.