NEW YORK Malak El Allami, a first-year player for Columbia women’s tennis, and her partner Emily Sartz-Lunde (University of Michigan/Norway) won the US Open Junior Doubles Championship on Saturday afternoon following an exciting 6-2, 4-6 [10-6] victory over Julia Stusek (Germany) and Julie Pastikova (Czechia).
El Allami is the first Moroccan player to win a major tournament as well as the first player in program history.
El Allami stated, “I want to thank Emily for playing with me.” “Having her on the court alongside me was wonderful. I am grateful to my family and federation for their tireless work in arranging for me to attend this event. I would like to express my gratitude to all of the Moroccans who have helped me, as well as the Columbia team members present. It gives me great pleasure to join your team. Lions, go!”
El Allami and Sartz-Lunde easily won the first set, but lost the second, 4-6, forcing a 10-point tiebreak to decide the winner. After El Allami and Sartz-Lunde tied the game at five points apiece, they each scored four straight points and concluded with a backhand victory.
Throughout the competition, El Allami and Sartz-Lunde faced difficulties. To go to the semifinals, they have to go through the first three rounds in some sort of tiebreak. Once there, on Friday, the pair won in a straight-set (6-3, 6-4) to set up the title match.
The Moroccan-born competitor also participated in the junior singles division, reaching the second round prior to the start of the doubles match. She has participated in two major tournaments already, the 2023 Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon.
The Columbia Invitational, which the Lions will host at the Philip & Cheryl Milstein Tennis Center from September 13 to 15, will mark the start of their autumn college campaign.