Been There BeforeBeen There Before
John Todd/isiphotos.com
Women's Tennis

Been There Before

LOS ANGELES - Thanks to a familiar face, No. 7 Stanford produced a familiar outcome.

Emily Arbuthnott's team-high fifth clincher of the season and 20th career three-set victory was the difference in Stanford's 4-3 comeback win over No. 11 UCLA on Friday afternoon in a battle of Pac-12 unbeatens.

Stanford (13-1, 4-0 Pac-12) erased deficits of 2-0 and 3-2, and has now incredibly won 17 of its last 22 matches in which it loses the doubles point dating back to 2016.

The Cardinal made it official thanks to a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory from Arbuthnott, who clinched the 23rd match of her career while improving her record in three-setters to 8-1 (this season) and 20-3 (career).

Three-time defending Pac-12 champion Stanford has also now won 31 straight regular-season conference matches dating back to March 5, 2016, when it lost 4-3 at Arizona State.

Winners of eight in a row overall, Stanford was tested throughout against UCLA (11-4, 3-1 Pac-12), which captured a hard-fought doubles point to take a 1-0 lead.

The Bruins tacked on for a 2-0 advantage after Abi Altick defeated Janice Shin 6-1, 6-1 on court five.

Stanford countered with a pair of victories, as Caroline Lampl extended her career-best winning streak to 14 matches with a 6-2, 6-2 triumph at No. 3 before Melissa Lord delivered a commanding 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 2.

UCLA moved back in front 3-2 following Jada Hart's 6-2, 6-3 win over Michaela Gordon at No. 1.

The Cardinal then converted both remaining matches. Emma Higuchi held on for a 6-4, 7-6 (7) win at No. 6 before Arbuthnott slammed on the gas pedal with her match tied 3-3 in the third set.

Stanford concludes its SoCal road trip on Saturday, visiting No. 16 USC at 12 p.m.

Friday's match was televised live on Pac-12 Networks, representing the Cardinal's only appearance on the network during the regular season.

No. 7 Stanford 4, No. 11 UCLA 3

DOUBLES
1) No. 11 Gabby Andrews/Broomfield (UCLA) d. No. 12 Lampl/Kimberly Yee (STAN) 6-3
2) No. 22 Bolton/Hart (UCLA) d. No. 18 Arbuthnott/Gordon (STAN) 6-1
3) No. 41 Lord/Niluka Madurawe (STAN) d. No. 45 Altick/Miller (UCLA) 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1

SINGLES
1) No. 56 Jada Hart (UCLA) d. No. 28 Michaela Gordon (STAN) 6-2, 6-3
2) No. 47 Melissa Lord (STAN) d. No. 18 Elysia Bolton (STAN) 6-4, 6-3
3) No. 58 Caroline Lampl (STAN) d. Ayan Broomfield (UCLA) 6-2, 6-2
4) No. 17 Emily Arbuthnott (STAN) d. Alaina Miller (UCLA) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
5) Abi Altick (UCLA) d. No. 57 Janice Shin (STAN) 6-1, 6-1
6) No. 81 Emma Higuchi (STAN) d. Taylor Johnson (UCLA) 6-4, 7-6 (7)
Order of Finish: 5, 3, 2, 1, 6, 4