Claire Bartlett admitted she was "dead tired" after all of her matches at the Tennessee Valley Open Championships tennis tournament Friday, but it was a great feeling.
The University of Florida rising junior advanced to the semifinals in singles and reached the quarterfinals in both open doubles and mixed doubles in the day's action. Play resumes this morning at 8 at the Manker Patten Tennis Club.
"It's a good feeling because I get to do it again the next day," Bartlett said.
It's even a better feeling because she's been able to do it back in her hometown.
"It's such a pleasure to come back here," she said. "There is a big tournament in Houston this weekend, and when my mom (GPS tennis coach Sue Bartlett) asked me which one I wanted to go to, it was easy to answer the TVOC."
There's only one title that has evaded the younger Bartlett in her TVOC playing days -- the singles title. She is playing with Ohio State sophomore Cameron Hubbs in doubles and with Davey Sandgren, who recently ended his Tennessee Volunteers career, in mixed doubles.
"I would love to be able to win it all," Bartleett said. "I made it to the finals a couple years ago but lost to (former UT-Chattanooga player) Anastasia Zhukova in a close match.
"I've won the other two titles, but it would be nice to get a singles title this year."
Bartlett finished 28-10 this past year for Florida -- 17-5 in in the spring season -- while playing Nos. 5 and 6 singles. She cited a team victory over defending national champion Duke as the highlight of her season. Bartlett's 6-4, 7-5 victory over Mary Clayton was part of the Lady Gators' 7-0 romp.
"It was such a tough match," Bartlett said. "She was a good player, but it was great getting a win over the defending national champions."
Florida advanced to the NCAA team championship match, where it fell to Stanford.
"It was such a tough match," she said. "We had such a great season with only four losses, so I hope we can go back and get a win next season."