KAZAN, Russia. – Rising junior Daneika Borthwick was selected to represent Team Great Britain at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia from July 6-17. The Cumbria, England native participated in both singles and doubles play.
"Firstly, I just want to thank the selection committee for choosing me to represent Great Britain,” Borthwick said. “It was a real honor. It was an amazing experience and it was my first time competing at a multi-sport event. It was a very different atmosphere to anything I've ever experienced.”
During the course of the week, Borthwick played to a record of 1-1 in both singles and doubles play.
Starting in the second round of singles, Borthwick cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win over Nzingah Banks of Anguilla on Tuesday, advancing her into the third round on Thursday. Borthwick was knocked out of the tournament by American Sabrina Santa Maria (USC), 6-0, 6-2.
In doubles, Borthwick teamed up with Amanda Kate Elliott of Loughborough University. In their second round doubles match, the duo defeated Fransiena Honiball and Imke Jagau of Nambia, 6-0, 6-4.
Advancing to the third round, Borthwick and Elliott faced a team from the Chinese Taipei in Shu-ying Hsieh and Wen-hsin Hus. In the first set, Borthwick and Elliott won 6-2 before Hsieh and Hus countered with a 6-2 victory in the second. Hsieh and Hus outlasted Borthwick and Elliott in the tiebreaker, taking it 1-0.
"I will take a lot of things with me from competing at this event,” Borthwick said. “But, mainly it gives me the motivation to compete in another one in the future. Hopefully I will give myself the opportunity to play again and be in contention to get a medal for the British team."
