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Mililani graduate Alyssa Tobita led early, but top-seeded Whitney Osuigwe surged back for a 6-4, 6-2 win in the first round of the Tennis Championships of Honolulu on Tuesday at the University of Hawaii Tennis Complex.
“This is probably, by far, the highest-ranked person I’ve ever played,” said Tobita, a three-time high school state champion who played college tennis at Oregon. “I know she just came back from playing Wimbledon qualifying, so you know she’s a big-time player. … She’s got a good serve, big forehand. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play somebody like this. You don’t get that chance very often.”
Osuigwe, ranked No. 110 in the world, advanced to face American Emina Bektas in the second round.
Tobita will play doubles today with former Oregon teammate Riftany Kahfiani against Japan’s Risa Ozaki and Junri Namigata.
The ITF World Tennis Tour event continues through Sunday at UH.
