Nov. 5, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State's 22nd-ranked Anastasia Petukhova upset her best friend and the top-ranked player in the country, Maria Mosolova of Northwestern, 6-4, 7-5, on Thursday for the first round of the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships in New Haven, Conn.

Both Petukhova and Mosolova are from Moscow, Russia, and have known each other for years and developed a close bond. That familiarity aided Petukhova in the contest.

"She was playing a friend, so she was able to stay calm and focus," head coach Simon Thibodeau said.

In addition to knowing Mosolova's tendencies, Petukhova utilized her trademark footwork and athleticism in the victory.

"Anastasia played well against a solid opponent and was moving well out there," Thibodeau said.

The victory over Mosolova gives Petukhova four wins over ranked opponents this year, two of which were against Top 15 players.

Petukhova will face No. 17 Maria Sanchez of USC in the second round of National Indoors on Friday at 7:30 a.m. PT.

"We Are Your Team" - The 'Dogs begin their spring season on Jan. 15 at the National Collegiate Tennis Classic in Palm Springs, Calif. For all the up to date information on Fresno State women's tennis stay logged on to gobulldogs.com.