Gibbs routed in final of Waco Challenger

Nicole Gibbs serves in her first-round victory over
Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain in the first round
 of the U.S. Open in September. Photo by Paul Bauman

   Unseeded Victorija Golubic of Switzerland whipped third-seeded Nicole Gibbs, a former Stanford star from Marina del Rey in the Los Angeles area, 6-2, 6-1 today to win the $50,000 Waco (Texas) Challenger.
   It was the biggest title of the 23-year-old Golubic's career. She won $25,000 Challengers in Woking, Great Britain, in August and Brescia, Italy, in 2013.  
   Gibbs, ranked No. 128, was 0 of 2 on break points against the 205th-ranked Golubic and committed five double faults.
   Gibbs, 22, was seeking her fourth Challenger singles title and trying to extend her streak of one title annual- ly at that level to four straight years.
   In her last four tournaments -- all $50,000 Challengers -- Gibbs has reached, in order, the semifinals in Las Vegas, the final in Kirkland, Wash., (losing to Mandy Minella of Luxembourg), the quarterfinals in Macon, Ga., and the final in Waco.
   Gibbs turned pro after winning her second straight NCAA singles title as a junior in 2013 and reached the third round of last year's U.S. Open. She climbed to a career-high No. 84 in March.
   Gibbs also won the 2012 NCAA doubles crown with Mallory Burdette.