Kate Fahey closed out Thursday’s action at the Baird Center with an 11-3, 11-7 victory over No. 7 seed Judit Castillo.

Castillo threatened to extend the match to a third game when she brought a 3-8 deficit to 7-8 in Game 2, but Fahey dialed in her two-handed backhand on the final few points to close out the contest in straight games.

Fahey is now into her third consecutive women’s singles final; she took home the title at the Rate Championships in October and followed that performance up with a silver medal last week at Worlds.

With three-game triumphs over Anna Bright and Kaitlyn Christian also under her belt in Milwaukee, the former University of Michigan tennis standout says that Thursday’s journey to the final was especially challenging.

“No matches are easy,” she mentioned. “I think today was particularly hard. I had a battle with Anna, and then a battle with Kaitlyn. And, of course, I always have a battle with Judit. So, I’m just really lucky to get out of the day and survive.”

Fahey will take on No. 8 seed Zoey Wang, who defeated Parris Todd to secure her first Championship Sunday appearance, for the women’s singles crown.

“I’ve never played Zoey before. We’re good friends off the court, so I expect a battle,” Fahey said of Sunday’s upcoming encounter. “She’s been playing really well—she’s an amazing singles and doubles player—so hopefully it’ll be a close match and entertaining to watch.”