British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

the addict · Tennis legend

RE: US College chat 2026/27

JonH · Tennis legend

Var wrote:
JonH wrote:
That's a good win - how highly ranked world wise was the top seed?
It seems she is 477 to Mimis 335. I have no idea how the college ranking system works TBH. Sure Lambda can enlighten us

Thanks - trying to ascertain if beating the top seed is actually as big a deal as it may seem. Clearly Mimi, as a freshman, is ranked much more highly than her wildcard status and, I think, got a high initial ranking of something like 3, but presumably this somehow didn't translate to a seeding. My instinct is that Mimi was probably a slight favourite anyway, but the seeding system and World rankings for college players make it all a bit of a mystery!

Lambda_ · Intermediate Club Player

Mimi couldn't be seeded because it is effectively based on last season's rankings. This is because NCAA rules stipulate that qualification for the NCAAs and entry into qualifying events must only be based on results in the collegiate system. This in turn means that newcomers would normally have to go through qualifying, even though there are several strong newcomers this year that on WTN would get straight into the main draw and some would be seeded. Mimi got lucky in getting the WC. For a fairer comparison of college players, it's better to compare WTN or UTR. Mimi has the 13th best UTR among college women at 11.26. Carmen has the 17th best UTR at 11.15. The best UTR in college tennis is Nina Vargova, who would have been Mimi's doubles partner had she not been ill, and is also a newcomer this year with a UTR of 11.56. Ella leads the way for British women in 12th with a UTR of 11.27

Var · Challenger level

Lambda_ wrote:
Mimi couldn't be seeded because it is effectively based on last season's rankings. This is because NCAA rules stipulate that qualification for the NCAAs and entry into qualifying events must only be based on results in the collegiate system. This in turn means that newcomers would normally have to go through qualifying, even though there are several strong newcomers this year that on WTN would get straight into the main draw and some would be seeded. Mimi got lucky in getting the WC. For a fairer comparison of college players, it's better to compare WTN or UTR. Mimi has the 13th best UTR among college women at 11.26. Carmen has the 17th best UTR at 11.15. The best UTR in college tennis is Nina Vargova, who would have been Mimi's doubles partner had she not been ill, and is also a newcomer this year with a UTR of 11.56. Ella leads the way for British women in 12th with a UTR of 11.27

Thanks Lambda. So Mimi into the last sixteen, does she qualify for the main event if she reaches the quarters?

JonH · Tennis legend

Var wrote:
Lambda_ wrote:
Mimi couldn't be seeded because it is effectively based on last season's rankings. This is because NCAA rules stipulate that qualification for the NCAAs and entry into qualifying events must only be based on results in the collegiate system. This in turn means that newcomers would normally have to go through qualifying, even though there are several strong newcomers this year that on WTN would get straight into the main draw and some would be seeded. Mimi got lucky in getting the WC. For a fairer comparison of college players, it's better to compare WTN or UTR. Mimi has the 13th best UTR among college women at 11.26. Carmen has the 17th best UTR at 11.15. The best UTR in college tennis is Nina Vargova, who would have been Mimi's doubles partner had she not been ill, and is also a newcomer this year with a UTR of 11.56. Ella leads the way for British women in 12th with a UTR of 11.27
Thanks Lambda. So Mimi into the last sixteen, does she qualify for the main event if she reaches the quarters?

Yep, lambda posted a link on page one that shows how it works:

ITA All-Americans
Held in Cary, North Carolina, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, the ITA All-American Championships will feature draws of more than 200 players across both Mens and Womens tournaments. From there, ten singles players (10) will qualify for the NCAA Singles Championship (eight main draw quarterfinalists & two feed-in consolation finalists), while four doubles teams (4) will qualify for the NCAA Doubles Championship (four main draw semifinalists).

Lambda_ · Intermediate Club Player

Some highlights from Mimi's match yesterday in this highlights reel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5mxjpLskQo

Lambda_ · Intermediate Club Player

Some highlights from Mimi's match yesterday in this highlights reel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5mxjpLskQo

Can't link because this stupid forum keeps flagging it as spam.

Var · Challenger level

Mimi wins again? A lot closer this time 6-4, 5-7, 7-5. So into quarters if Ive got that right and qualified? I bow to Lambda!

Lambda_ · Intermediate Club Player

Yes, indeed Mimi is our first qualifier for the NCAAs after a hard fought near 3 hour battle. It is clear from her reaction at the end that the goal was NCAA qualification, so let's see if she turns out for the quarter final which was originally scheduled to start at 8.30pm our time. If she does the next match won't be any easier and her opponent has been off-court for over an hour before Mimi finished so I wouldn't expect much. Her 2 team mates that also qualified retired from their QFs after a couple of games, so that may be the way Duke are going about it.

ETA: QF now scheduled for 9.30pm.

-- Edited by Lambda_ on Friday 25th of September 2026 07:07:04 PM

Var · Challenger level

Lambda_ wrote:
Yes, indeed Mimi is our first qualifier for the NCAAs after a hard fought near 3 hour battle. It is clear from her reaction at the end that the goal was NCAA qualification, so let's see if she turns out for the quarter final which was originally scheduled to start at 8.30pm our time. If she does the next match won't be any easier and her opponent has been off-court for over an hour before Mimi finished so I wouldn't expect much. Her 2 team mates that also qualified retired from their QFs after a couple of games, so that may be the way Duke are going about it.
ETA: QF now scheduled for 9.30pm.

-- Edited by Lambda_ on Friday 25th of September 2026 07:07:04 PM

That makes sense as she has a WTA100 tournament next week. If you have the qualification then mission accomplished no? Thanks Lambda for explaining it all!

-- Edited by Var on Friday 25th of September 2026 07:57:34 PM

Lambda_ · Intermediate Club Player

I apologise to Mimi for suggesting she wouldn't play the QF and not to expect much. She wins 7-6 6-2. Former(?) Surrey player Nao Nishino awaits in the SF.

Flora Johnson is our 2nd qualifier for the NCAAs and out first for doubles.

Charlie Robertson falls in doubles leaving no men in either the singles or doubles main draws.

Henry Jefferson and Louis Bowden are our last chance of a men's qualifier in the singles consolation draw.

the addict · Tennis legend

Mimi is listed for the main draw in the W100. It's a Sunday draw for qualifying, with the main draw matches not starting until Tuesday, so shouldn't be a problem.

JonH · Tennis legend

Lambda_ wrote:
I apologise to Mimi for suggesting she wouldn't play the QF and not to expect much. She wins 7-6 6-2. Former(?) Surrey player Nao Nishino awaits in the SF.
Flora Johnson is our 2nd qualifier for the NCAAs and out first for doubles.
Charlie Robertson falls in doubles leaving no men in either the singles or doubles main draws.
Henry Jefferson and Louis Bowden are our last chance of a men's qualifier in the singles consolation draw.

Looks like both Mimi and Flora semis would be tonight, finals Sunday, if they stick with it? Personally, feel trying to win a title would be a good thing, not sure I like dropping out just because someone makes the relevant qualifying stage. Let's see. Good luck to both.

JonH · Tennis legend

I see the next qualifying tournament is the Regionals, that starts in just over a week. Presumably players who have qualified, like Mimi, don't play in that event?

Lambda_ · Intermediate Club Player

JonH wrote:
I see the next qualifying tournament is the Regionals, that starts in just over a week. Presumably players who have qualified, like Mimi, don't play in that event?

Typically no but they can if they want to.