Alabama and Auburn to square off in the ITA National Wheelchair Tennis Championships final
The final of the 25th ITA National Wheelchair Tennis Championships will be an all-Alabama affair for the second time in three years, with the University of Alabama and Auburn University set for a rematch of the 2023 team championship.
Both teams won their semifinal matches, 2-0, with the Crimson Tide besting the University of Arizona after wins in doubles and No. 1 singles. A few minutes later, Auburn’s victory at No. 2 singles, following their doubles win, clinched their defeat of the second-seeded University of Michigan—avenging the Tigers’ loss to the Wolverines in pool play on Friday morning.
Alabama's Francesco Felici and Martha Harris defeated Eric Court and Dan Baseda of Arizona, 8-1, to take an early lead. Felici, the 2023 US Open boys' junior wheelchair finalist, clinched the match for his team by winning his singles match against Court, 6-0, 6-1.
The Crimson Tide isn't resting on their laurels. Harris embodied their winning spirit, exuding enthusiasm and excellence.
"I just want to give full effort in everything," she said. "I'm so pumped to be in the finals, it's going to be good."
The Tigers knew a tough fight awaited them in their semifinal rematch against Michigan, but when the doubles team of Jake Eastwood and Evan Heller won their match against Caiden Baxter and Maria Velat, 8-1, Auburn could see the light at the end of the tunnel—they lost in doubles on Friday after Michigan mounted an impressive comeback. In just under an hour, Eastwood defeated Drew Dame to propel Auburn into their second title match in team history.
Auburn doubles players high-five during their semifinal match. Photo courtesy of the ITA.
"We had a nice comeback win," said Auburn coach Nathan Waters. "Michigan had beaten us earlier [in the tournament]. We had to fight our way back into it, so it's really nice to take care of that win and then get into the championship."
Auburn will be on the hunt for their first championship, while Alabama has been a dominant program throughout the years, winning seven straight titles before Houston snapped their winning streak and lifted the trophy in 2024.
The final will begin at 9:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday, beginning with doubles and followed by singles. Click here to catch the action.
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