TULSA, Okla. – Day one of the main draw matches at the ITA All-Americans opened up Thursday with round one of singles play.
Vanderbilt senior Cameron Klinger, the 7th-ranked singles player in the country, took the court against USC’s Paul Judd in a close three-set match. Klinger ultimately fell to Judd in a 3-6, 6-3, 0-6, defeat.
After a two-hour rain delay, the No.2-ranked doubles pair of Klinger and Billy Rowe hit the court to battle against Georgia duo Robert Loeb and Jan Zielinski. The Dores clinched the match in a set tie break, 6-3, 7-6(4) advancing the tandem to the Round of 16 set to begin Friday morning.
Vanderbilt assistant coach Ryan Lipman said he was very pleased with the effort Klinger and Rowe both put into each match.
“Overall, I feel like we had a solid start here on the first day of main draw play,” Lipman said. “Unfortunately, Cam didn’t get the result that he was hoping for, but he competed hard and will get another opportunity tomorrow.
“I’m very proud of how our guys battled in doubles. It was the best performance I’ve seen from them and they had to bring it against a very good and experienced Georgia doubles team. I am looking forward to another opportunity tomorrow.”
Klinger and Rowe are back in action Friday competing in their second round of doubles play Friday against Florida’s Berdusco/Ingildsen.
In the back draw of singles play, Klinger will take on the winner of the Friday matchup between Mississippi State and Ohio State Saturday morning.
To keep up with the Dores in Tulsa, follow @VandyMensTennis on Twitter as well as check the ITA page for daily recaps and updated draws.
http:// https://www.itatennis.com/ITA/Events/EventsCalendar/ITA_Men_s_All-American_Championships.aspx
