NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt’s No. 22 doubles team of Rhys Johnson and Gonzales Austin defeated No. 58 Chris Simich and Albert Wager of Louisville, winning the USTA/ITA Ohio Valley Regional doubles championship. The win gives Austin and Johnson a spot in the National Indoor Championship in New York.
The duo began the final day of tournament action taking on Tennessee Tech’s Oleksiy Arovin and Alberto Esteban. The duo took command in the first set defeating the tandem 6-1. However, in the second set the Golden Eagles fought back taking Austin and Johnson to a highly contested 10-point tiebreaker. Vandy came out victorious in the semifinal; 6-1, 7-6(6).
After Austin’s performance in doubles, the senior geared up for the tournament’s singles final against Memphis’ Andrew Watson. Watson brought a solid serve the entire match, and performed what his coach said to be an unbelievable performance. The freshman held on to an early lead to win the first set, 6-3. Austin used to loss as motivation in the second set, with both players answering one anther point for point. The Commodore went to his second tiebreaker of the day, with Watson coming out on top winning the individual singles championship and an automatic bid to national indoors, 6-3, 7-6(4).
However, singles was not the senior’s last match of the day. With the doubles championship still in reach Austin teamed back up with partner Rhys to take on Louisville’s No. 58 tandems team. The energy was electric on and off the court as both Commodores were focused on the task at hand. Both Rhys and AJ were on fire returning difficult serves, and capitalizing on timely volleys. The Cardinals’ Aimich and Wagner put up a great performance, but it was the Commodores who won the doubles championship in a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Austin will be heading back to National Indoors this year with Rhys at his side, as the Miami, Fla. native punched his ticket last season by making it to the All-American quarterfinals.
The ITA Indoor Championships take place in Flushing Meadows, NY, a four-day tournament lasting from Nov. 6-9.
Results:
Doubles:
Austin/Johnson def. Arovin/Esteban (TN Tech); 6-1, 7-6(6)
Austin/Johnson def. Simich/Wagner (Louisville); 6-4, 6-4
Singles:
Andrew Watson (Memphis) def. Gonzales Austin; 6-4, 6-4
