Christina McHale and Alison Riske advanced emerged in the singles bracket past their semifinals competition on Saturday, and they will face each other for the USTA Tennis Classic of Troy title on Sunday.

“I am so excited,” Riske said. “I have played seven matches already and this is so rewarding to make it to the finals. I’m just excited to get out there and play, and Christina is my friend too.”

Riske was ranked number one in the USTA Girls 18s rankings in 2007. She also competed in the U.S. Open women’s singles qualifying where she reached the second round. She also served as a practice partner on the US Fed Cup Team.

The excitement of playing in the finals lies on both sides of the court as both enter into the biggest match of their careers respectively. Neither have ever made the finals in a $50,000 event, and the anticipation is rising heading to Sunday.

“I had a really intense match today,” McHale said. “I’m really glad I won today and got to move on. I’m excited about playing Alison tomorrow too. I have known her for a few years now, and I’m looking forward to the match.”

McHale grabbed her first USTA victory last year in the doubles bracket in Wichita, Kansas. She reached semifinals in the Augusta, Georgia event, but the Troy tournament is the furthest point she has reached for a tournament of it’s size. She led the US Junior Fed Cup team to a title in 2008.

Riske knocked off seventh-seeded Madison Brengle 6-2, 6-2. McHale took the win over Stephanie Dubois in three sets 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.

On the doubles side, Petra Rampre and Nicole Rottman claimed the title over top-seeded Edina Gallovits and Jorgelina Cravero.

“This was the first time we have ever played together,” Rampre said about her partner Rottman. “We decided just before the tournament started to play together. She has a really good serve and plays well at the baseline and I play well at the net so we worked well together and with that combined makes us a good match.”

The pair took the first set 6-3, but dropped the second set to the top seed.

They came back in the tie breaking third set down 4-1 to capture the win. The pair won the ten point, tie breaking set 10-8.

“It’s a very nice tournament here and my fifth trip to Troy,” Rampre said.

She and her partner will both be playing in the next USTA event in Kansas City, Missouri, and both said the experience of winning will help them in future tournaments.

“We always played good when we were behind,” Rottman said about the tie breaking comeback. “This will help both of us in the future, and I’m happy about the win.”

The singles championship is set to start at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, and everyone is encouraged to attend. Admission is free to the tournament at the Lunsford Tennis Complex.