Niedermayerova Advances at NCAA Championship

K-STATE SPORTS INFORMATION

May 23, 2012

ATHENS, Ga. – Kansas State sophomore Petra Niedermayerova advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Division I Women’s Singles Championships on Wednesday with a three-set win (6-4, 3-6, 6-3) over No. 81 Lutfiana Budiharto of Wichita State at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. Niedermayerova is the first Wildcat to reach the Round of 32 since Alena Jecminkova in 2002.
Niedermayerova tallied an early 2-0 lead in the first set, but Budiharto regrouped to capture a 4-2 lead. Niedermayerova was able to pull herself together and secure the first set by winning the next four games.

“I was nervous and there were a lot of people, so I knew it was an important match,” said Niedermayerova of the first set. “I got a little more relaxed as the match progressed and I started winning.”

After Budiharto secured the second set, Niedermayerova rallied for a 4-3 lead in the third set and held serve. Niedermayerova was able to fend off two game-point opportunities by Budiharto in attempting to even the third set and break Niedermayerova’s serve. The 2012 unanimous All-Big 12 singles selection used the momentum to break the Shocker’s serve and close out the match. Niedermayerova is now 3-0 in her career against Budiharto and is 7-11 in her career in three-set matches.

K-State head coach Steve Bietau was complimentary of both players for their play on Wednesday.

“Like Petra said, of the three meetings between these two, this was the best Budiharto has played and she really made Petra work for everything. This wasn’t Petra’s best match, but as we have seen many times she finds a way to get it done. She never settled into a rhythm. It speaks to her ability as a player. There was never a rhythm in this match. It was a constant struggle but fortunately she came out on top.”

In the 2011-12 season, Niedermayerova owns an overall record of 23-12 (.657) and is 8-11 against ranked opponents. The product of Brno, Czech Republic, is tied for sixth in school history for wins in a season.

For her career, Niedermayerova is 47-22 (.681) including a 15-13 mark against ITA ranked foes. Niedermayerova’s career singles winning percentage of .681 currently ranks third in school history.

Niedermayerova will face another familiar opponent in the Round of 32 on Thursday, as the Wildcat will face No. 16 Diana Nakic of Baylor. Niedermayerova and Nakic, who was also a 2012 All-Big 12 selection, played one of the best singles matches in the Big 12 this season on March 25. The duo combined to play for nearly four hours, with Nakic winning the three-set marathon.

2012 NCAA Singles Championship 
May 23, 2012
Athens, Ga. — Dan Magill Tennis Complex
Final Results – First Round

Singles:    
(29) Petra Niedermayerova (KSU) vs. (81) Lutfiana Budiharto (WSU), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3