NC State Newsstand: Diana Shnaider cruises into U.S. Open Round of 16
For the first time in her young professional singles career, former NC State star Diana Shnaider is through to the Round of 16 in a Grand Slam tournament.
Shnaider, the former ACC Freshman of the Year in 2023, knocked off Sara Errani, 6-2, 6-2, in the third round of the U.S. Open on Saturday afternoon. Shnaider made quick work of Errani, the former No. 5 player in the world, to achieve a new career-best at a major event.
“It was a great match. I’m really proud of myself and the effort I put in today and [throughout] the year,” Shnaider said in a post-match interview. “It’s very special to be in the second week of a Grand Slam in the U.S.”
Shnaider, who is currently ranked No. 16 in the world, is having a career-year thanks to her success on the various surfaces in professional tennis. She is the only player in the world to win three singles titles on different surfaces — hard court, grass and clay — this season.
The Zhigulevsk, Russia, native is coming off a silver medal showing in doubles at the Paris Olympics. And in her first U.S. Open appearance, it seems Shnaider is comfortable on the big stage. She has won all three of her matches in straight sets, losing just 13 games to this point in New York City.
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Even though she has been dominant, Shnaider’s toughest opponent of the tournament to this point awaits on Monday. She will square off with Jessica Pegula, the No. 6 seed in the tournament, with a trip to the quarterfinals on the line.
Shanider will look for her second top-10 win of her career against Pegula. She earned a victory over then-No. 2 Coco Gauff earlier this season in Toronto.
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Wolfpack quarterback Grayson McCall wasn’t entirely pleased with his individual performance against Western Carolina, but he was glad NC State earned the season-opening victory.
“I don’t think I played my best ball. … It was good to just get out there again,” McCall said. “I don’t think we played our best, but I’m happy we came away with the win.”
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