Duke tennis sensation Kelly McCain began her quest for a second straight grand slam singles title in style Thursday, breezing to a first round victory in the Omni Hotels National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships. The Blue Devil sophomore, holding the top seed in the tournament, defeated William & Mary's Megan Muth in straight sets (7-6 (0), 6-2).
The heavily favored McCain had a bit of trouble initially, as Muth battled her stroke for stroke on the way to a first set tiebreaker. The rout began in the tiebreaker, however, as McCain took advantage of her overpowering serve to win seven straight points and capture the set.
Using pinpoint ground strokes and superior quickness, McCain raced out to an early lead in the second set and never looked back. Muth was unable to mount any sort of counterattack, and eventually succumbed to the All-American, 6-2.
With the victory, McCain maintained her undefeated record and moved to 6-0 on the year. She also advanced to Friday's second round, where she will face 14th-ranked Alice Pirsu of Pennsylvania. The two met earlier this year in the round of 16 at the Riviera All-American where McCain won a hard-fought match.
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