TULSA, Okla. – Two Vanderbilt men’s tennis student-athletes advanced to the third round of the ITA All-American pre-qualifying matches on Saturday.
In the first round, four Dores collected victories to advance to the second round of pre-qualifying matches.
Starting the tournament strong for the Commodores, sophomore Christiaan Worst claimed his fourth victory of the fall season defeating Gonzaga’s Oliver Andersson in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4 followed by junior Max Freeman notching a straight set win over George Davis from William and Mary, 6-1, 6-4.
Closing the first round with two victories, senior Panu Virtanen and sophomore Marcus Ferreira tabbed their spots in the second round of singles.
Virtanen held Oklahoma’s Max Stewart to three games in the first set followed by a 6-2 victory in the second set to take the match.
Marcus Ferreira battled against Oral Robert’s Andy Guymon to claim the match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
Maintaining his successful run in the tournament, Ferreira secured his spot in the third round of singles earning the win over Georgia’s Blake Croyder. The sophomore dominated in the first set to take down Croyder, 6-3. Bouncing back in the second set, Croyder held Ferreira to three games to force a third set. In the third set, Ferreira stormed the court to defeat Croyder, 6-1 claiming his third victory of the fall season.
Joining Ferreira in the third round of singles, Freeman defeated Florida State’s Loris Pourroy, 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 picking up his third singles victory in his junior campaign.
Freeman and Ferreira will be back in action on Sunday with hopes of advancing to the Round of 32 in the ITA All-Americans. The pair must win four-consecutive matches to tab their spots in the qualifying rounds beginning on Monday.
Stay updated with the Commodores in Tulsa by following @VandyMTennis on Twitter and Instagram.
