ATHENS, Ga. – Weather has forced the majority of the Southern Intercollegiate Championships to be played indoors and it has caused multiple matches to be delayed and canceled, but if it has caused any problems for Vanderbilt’s men’s tennis team, you wouldn’t notice by looking at the draws.
The Commodores continued their strong performance in their season-opening tournament on Sunday as Vanderbilt improved its overall singles record to 14-4 for the weekend. Vanderbilt took eight players to the tournament and four remain unbeaten heading into the tournament’s final day (Monday).
Of those without a loss in singles are Vijay Paul, Ryan Lipman, Charlie Jones and Alex Zotov. Paul and Lipman are in the Division I singles draw, while Jones and Zotov are in the Division II singles draw.
Vanderbilt has had a strong showing, but its biggest splash came on Sunday when Lipman and Paul took down two ranked players in the round of 32. Lipman earned a 6-1, 3-6, 1-0 (6) over Duke’s Reid Carleton, who is ranked No. 29. Paul defeated No. 37 Jamie Hunt of Georgia, 6-3, 6-3.
Lipman and Paul then advanced to Monday’s quarterfinals with one more win apiece. Lipman earned a 6-3, 6-2 win over Georgia’s Drake Bernstein and Paul posted a 6-7 (4), 6-0, 1-0 (5) win over Rhyne Williams of Tennessee.
Jones advanced to the round of 16 in Division II singles with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Connor Sherwood of Wake Forest.
Jones’ win came on the heels of his opening round 6-4, 6-3 win over Jordan Walters of Furman late Saturday night.
Zotov advanced to the round of 16 in the Division II singles draw with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Mercer’s David Barton.
Vanderbilt’s other win on Sunday came courtesy of Adam Baker who defeated Carlos Salmon of Wake Forest, 6-3, 6-3.
Due to rain, both doubles draws were canceled as was the Division III singles draw and all consolation matches.
Division I Singles
Round of 32
Vijay Paul (VU) def. No. 37 Jamie Hunt (UGA), 6-3, 6-3
Ryan Lipman (VU) def. No. 29 Reid Carleton (Duke), 6-1, 3-6, 1-0 (6)
Iain Atkinson (WF) def. Bryant Salcedo (VU), 6-4, 6-4
No. 38 Javier Garrapiz (UGA) def. Alex DiValerio (VU), 7-6(3), 6-3
Round of 16
Ryan Lipman (VU) def. Drake Bernstein (UGA), 6-3, 6-2
Vijay Paul (VU) def. Rhyne Williams (TN), 6-7 (4), 6-0, 1-0 (5)
No. 4 Nate Schnugg (UGA) def. Adam Baker (VU), 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (8)
Division II Singles
Round of 64
Charlie Jones (VU) def. Jordan Walters (Furman), 6-4, 6-3
Round of 32
Charlie Jones (VU) def. Connor Sherwood (WF), 6-2, 6-3
Alex Zotov (VU) def. David Barton (Mercer), 6-3, 6-4
No Division
Adam Baker (VU) def. Carlos Salmon (WF), 6-3, 6-3
