August's San Diego Final Opens Door to North Carolina for Wygodzki; Top Seeds Penickova and Goode Begin Play Tuesday at ITF J300 Pan American Closed

©Colette Lewis 2025--

Spring, Texas

Although those living in South Texas scoffed at the suggestion that it was more like summer than fall today for the opening round of the ITF J300 Pan American Closed, but temperatures in the low 90s with little breeze did challenge many of those engaged in long three-set battles at the Giammalva Racquet Club outside Houston. 

But New Yorker Paige Wygodzki was able to work her way back from a slow start Monday afternoon, beating wild card Alexandra Patton of Texas 7-5, 6-4 on Stadium Court.

Patton received her wild card from Tournament Director Victor Pinones as this summer Texas Closed 16s champion, and she jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead over Wygodzki, the 2025 USTA National 16s finalist, who wasn't familiar with Patton's game.

"She played some very good points, but I also definitely gave her a lot of errors," said the 16-year-old left-hander from Huntington. "But even though I was down 2-5, I was only down one break, so I knew if I was able to hold my serve, I could get the break at 3-5. That return game at 3-5 really changed the first set, and allowed me to win the five game in a row I needed."

Wygodzki turned the tables on Patton in the second set, going up 5-2, and she too, was unable to serve it out on her first attempt, but made no mistake during her second opportunity.

"I did realize she didn't really like it when I hit fast and deep, and she would give me some short balls," Wygodzki said. "At that point it was just executing on the short balls."

Wygodzki said her run in San Diego in August definitely came at the right place and the right time.

"It didn't necessarily change my outlook or my perspective," Wygodzki said. "I always have the perspective of getting better each match, fighting through each match no matter how I'm feeling. But one thing the final did for me was unlocked a lot of doors towards college and that's something I'm tremendously grateful for. It's the one tournament where you do really well, you'll get a lot of recognition, and I was fortunate to have my mind straight for those seven days."

Wygodzki, who is a junior, wanted to commit early for two reasons.

"One, I didn't want to worry about my spot being taken, and Two, I wanted to make my choice so that I could continue to develop the next two years, see how good I could get before entering college," Wygodzki said.

After taking three official visits, Wygodzki verbally committed to North Carolina for 2027.

"One of my dream schools for sure," said Wygodzki, who trains with Steve Kaplan and Robbie Wagner Tennis's Adrian Chirici. "I'm very excited. I want to thank coach Brian (Kalbas) and coach Tyler (Thomson) for giving me the opportunity and allowing me to come on a visit so early. I'm so grateful. And I also want to thank all the other coaches for giving me the opportunity."

Wygodzki will play No. 14 seed Marianne Angel of Mexico in the second round Tuesday.

All seeds are in action on Tuesday.

Girls:

(USA unless noted)

1. Annika Penickova

2. Nancy Lee

3. Capucine Jauffret

4. Kori Montoya

5. Carrie-Anne Hoo

6. Chukwumelije Clarke

7. Thara Gowda

8. Isabelle DeLuccia

9. Zaire Clarke

10. Ireland O'Brien

11. Maggie Sohns

12. Karlin Schock

13. Janae Preston

14. Marianne Angel, MEX

15. Jordyn Hazelitt

16. Clemence Mercier, CAN

Boys:

1. Gavin Goode

2. Ryan Cozad

3. Michael Antonius

4. Andrew Johnson

5. Roshan Santhosh

6. Volodymyr Gurkeno, CAN

7. Dani Szabo, CAN

8. Benjamin Azar, CAN

9. Sklar Phillips

10. Tanishk Konduri

11. Vihaan Reddy

12. Xavier Massote, CAN

13. Ford McCollum

14. Joshua Adamson, CAN

15. Caden Colburne, CAN

16. Mason Taube

The first round of doubles was also played today, with all seeded teams in action Tuesday. Ryan Cozad and Gavin Goode are the top seeds in the boys draw, with Capucine Jauffret and Annika Penickova the No. 1 seeds in the girls draw.