Valeria Salazar fought hard for a three-set victory against then-No. 35 Princeton that clinched the victory for Syracuse on Sunday.

That victory not only secured the win for the Orange, but it also brought out the best from her for Saturday’s home opener against Cornell.

“I just hit really good shots and I ended up winning, so that carried on to this match today,” Salazar said. “I felt very confident and comfortable on the court.”

Salazar was a key factor in the No. 53 Orange’s (4-1) 5-2 win over Cornell (0-3) at Drumlins Tennis Center, winning a tiebreak in her doubles match with partner Komal Safdar and then a dominant victory in singles play.

In doubles play, the sophomore Salazar and the senior Safdar were the last Syracuse pair on the court as they played their tiebreak.

Salazar’s singles win complimented singles wins from senior Breanna Bachini, senior Amanda Rodgers and sophomore Rhiann Newborn, who won by default. Safdar and freshman Nicole Mitchell both lost.

Since Rodgers and Newborn won their doubles match 6-2 and Bachini and Mitchell lost 6-1, the tiebreak was the determining factor for the doubles point.

Everyone in attendance, including the players, started watching as the end of the doubles match unfolded.

“It definitely just brings the energy when everyone’s out there and everyone’s watching you,” Safdar said.

But the pressure of the watching eyes did not stop Salazar from playing good tennis.

On the Syracuse match point, Cornell served to Salazar’s forehand. She returned a low cross-court ground stroke that was unable to be returned.

It was the same type of return that Salazar used to win against Princeton.

Safdar commended her partner’s ability to be calm in important situations.

“Even on that match point, that girl served her a really tough serve out wide but she kept her composure,” Safdar said. “And I know she’s always going to keep her composure because that’s how it’s been the entire year.”

Safdar and Salazar’s victory in that tiebreak gave the Orange an early 1-0 lead. It was the first time that Syracuse won the doubles point in the last three matches.

And Salazar went on to find continued success in singles play.

She went on to defeat her opponent, Lizzie Stewart, 6-1, 6-1.

“Confidence is everything in sports and I feel like coming from that weekend and clinching for us last weekend gave (Salazar) a lot of confidence coming into this match,” SU head coach Younes Limam said. “And you could tell by the score she was just playing her game, trusting her shots, and just doing everything the right way.”

Published on January 31, 2015 at 6:53 pm

Contact Kevin: kjpacell@syr.edu