MILWAUKEE – Nikola Nikolajeva claimed a huge comeback victory to help the Milwaukee women's tennis team to a thrilling and dramatic 4-3 victory over Western Illinois Saturday afternoon at River Glen Elite.
 
The match was deadlocked at three points apiece with Nikolajeva left at No. 2 singles to determine the winner. Down 5-1 in the deciding third set, she fought off six match points and then won the tiebreaker 11-9 to send the Panthers (5-6) to the big victory over the Leathernecks (4-6).
 
"So proud of this team," head coach Mark Goldin said. "We kept fighting the entire time, supported each other like a family, and ended up getting the win. If we play for each other, without the support of the team, we lose that match."
 
Nikolajeva ended the day with victories in singles and doubles, with Nadiia Konieva accomplishing the same feat to highlight the afternoon.
 
Doubles play helped set the tone with a sweep of the action. Sara Simonova and Konieva (#1 doubles) and Nikolajeva and Laure Razet (#2 doubles) both blitzed to 6-1 victories and the team of Emilia Durska and Elisa Rubio took care of business at No. 3 by a final score of 6-2 to secure the 1-0 lead.
 
In singles, Konieva defeated Chloe Routier, 6-3, 6-3, while Durska came through in a three-setter against Mana Fawcett 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to level the match at 3-3 and set the stage for Nikolajeva to decide it.
 
It was back and forth, dropping the first set 5-7 before storming back 6-0 in the second. Down 5-1 and 40-30 in the third set, she pulled off the stunner – fighting off the six match points before prevailing in the tiebreak.
 
The weekend continues for the team next, heading to Whitewater tomorrow, set for a match that will get underway at 1 p.m.
 
Milwaukee 4, Western Illinois 3
Singles competition
1. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Chloe Routier (WIU) 6-3, 6-3
2. Nikola Nikolajeva (MKE) def. Lara Diniz de Souza (WIU) 5-7, 6-0, 7-6 (11-9)
3. Paige Grice (WIU) def. Laure Razet (MKE) 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
4. Emilia Durska (MKE) def. Mana Fawcett (WIU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
5. Richardlyne Francois (WIU) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
6. Nour Gueblaoui (WIU) def. Honoka Yamashita (MKE) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Sara Simonova/Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Chloe Routier/Nour Gueblaoui (WIU) 6-1
2. Nikola Nikolajeva/Laure Razet (MKE) def. Mana Fawcett/Paige Grice (WIU) 6-1
3. Emilia Durska/Elisa Rubio (MKE) def. Lara Diniz de Souza/Richardlyne Francois (WIU) 6-2