TEMPLETON, September 23, 2025 (by Steve Pratt)

Just two weeks ago Russian Maria Kozyreva was playing against some of the world’s top women’s pro players in the WTA 500 in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she and her partner fell in the doubles quarterfinals.

With 18 total titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour in doubles – including six so far this year – you could consider the 26-year-old Kozyreva a doubles specialist. But on Monday, Kozyreva said she still hasn’t given up on the singles dream where the No. 2 seed in qualifying on the first day of the Central Coast Classic brought to you by Central Coast Home Health scored a 7-5, 6-0, win over former University of Arkansas player Kelly Keller.

Kozyreva, ranked just inside the world top 400 in the WTA rankings, will next face No. 9 seed Mary Lewis for a spot in the main draw of the ITF World Tennis Tour and USTA Pro Circuit women’s $60,000 event taking place all week at the Templeton Tennis Ranch.

Two Southern California wildcards were getting their first taste of the pro scene as 15-year-old Ania Zabost from Tarzana near Los Angeles fell to No. 3 seed Poland’s Olivia Lincer, 6-1, 6-3. Cal Poly’s No. 1 player Kennedy Buntrock from Las Vegas lost to Jamilah Snells, a former Louisville player originally from Florida, 6-4, 6-2.

The main draw was released and there are five singles matches on the schedule Tuesday following the final round of qualifying. WTA tour veteran Louisa Chirico is the top seed and on Tuesday will face former Texas A&M star Mary Stoiana in the first round.

Also in action are former USC All-American Eryn Cayetano against USTA wildcard Jenna Defalco. Last year’s singles finalist Usue Arconada takes on Amelia Rajecki from Great Britain.