San Diego, CA – In a tournament that showcased the finest young talent in American tennis, Mia Slama made an impressive run at the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16 & 18 National Championships held at the Barnes Tennis Center. 

The tournament, which drew 512 of the best American girls in the 16U and 18U divisions, offered a competitive stage for these rising stars. Over the course of the event, Slama’s journey to the quarterfinals was marked by both remarkable victories and commendable sportsmanship.

Tournament Overview:

Slama began her campaign with a bye in the Round of 256, giving her a chance to watch the initial action from the sidelines. Her first match in the Round of 128 saw her facing Athina Schlepphorst, where she delivered a dominating performance with a 6-1, 6-1 victory.

Advancing to the Round of 64, Slama faced Alyson Shannon, the 33rd seed, and overcame her in a tough battle, winning 7-5, 6-1. The Round of 32 presented a challenging opponent in Kristina Penickova, the 16th seed. Slama’s persistence was on full display as she rallied from a set down to secure a 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 triumph.

In the Round of 16, Slama faced Claire Hill, the 8th seed. After a hard-fought match, Slama emerged with the victory with a scoreline of 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, propelling her into the quarterfinals.

The quarterfinals proved to be a formidable challenge, with Slama up against the No. 2 seed Akasha Urhobo. Despite her best efforts, Slama was unable to overcome the formidable Urhobo, who won 6-2, 6-2. Urhobo, currently ranked #317 in the WTA singles rankings, showed why she was among the tournament’s top seeds.

Notable Achievements:

In addition to her impressive performance on the court, Slama was honored with the Sportsmanship Award, In recognition of the highest standards of conduct, fair play, and good sportsmanship.