August’s San Diego final opens the door to North Carolina for Wygodzki; Top Seeds Penickova and Goode begin play at ITF J300 Pan American Closed on Tuesday

© Colette Lewis 2025–

Spring, Texas

But New Yorker Paige Wygodzki was able to claw 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 when Texas 16s champion closed this summer and she jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead over Wygodzki, the 2025 USTA National 16s finalist, who was unfamiliar with Patton’s match.

“She played some really good runs, but I definitely gave her a lot of fouls as well,” said the 16-year-old left-hander from Huntington. “But even though I was 2-5, I was only one break, so I knew if I could hold my serve, I could get the break at 3-5. That return match at 3-5 really changed the first set and allowed me to get the five-game win in a row that I needed.”

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

“I did realize that 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 executed on the short balls.”

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

“It didn’t necessarily change my outlook or my perspective,” Wygodzki said. “I always have the perspective to get better every match, to fight through every match, no matter how I feel. But one thing the finals did for me is unlocked a lot of doors to college and that’s something I’m extremely grateful for. It’s the only tournament where you really do well, you get a lot of recognition, and I was lucky to have my mind 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 I could continue to develop for the next two years, see how good I could get before I went to 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 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.

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