TULSA, Okla. — Juan Lopez and Michael Ross each won a pair of matches Saturday at LaFortune Park to lead the Vanderbilt men’s tennis team on the first day of the ITA All-American Championship.
Lopez needed to bounce back after dropping his opening set of the event, but after picking up his first victory in the pre-qualifying segment of the tournament he returned and dropped just three games to move on again. Ross earned both of his wins in straight sets, claiming a tiebreaker in the second set of his second match to advance.
Alexandre Hillhouse added a win for the Dores at the Southern Intercollegiate at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex, but had to retire after advancing to the semifinals of the Black Draw.
Competition at both tournaments will continue on Sunday.
Saturday Results
ITA All-American Championship
Singles (pre-qualifying)
Juan Lopez (Vanderbilt) def. Thando Longwe-Smit (Liberty), 1-6, 7-5, 6-2
Lopez def. Leo Lopez Linquet (Nebraska), 6-2, 6-1
Michael Ross (Vanderbilt) def. Haris Eminefendic (Stetson), 6-0, 6-4
Ross def. Chikaya Sato (San Diego State), 7-5, 7-6 (2)
Mykhailo Kvantaliani (Wichita State) def. Jeremie Casabon (Vanderbilt), 7-6 (4), 7-6, (2)
Southern Intercollegiate
Singles
Black Draw: Alexandre Hillhouse (Vanderbilt) def. Davis Taylor (Georgia), 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
Silver Draw: Alin Fatu (Jacksonville State) def. Paul Wang (Vanderbilt), 6-1, 4-6, 6-1
Silver Draw: Trey Stinchcomb (Clemson) def. Wang (Vanderbilt) 6-2, 6-2
Silver Draw: Parker Mariencheck (Georgia) def. Callum Rendle (Vanderbilt) 6-2, 6-2
Silver Draw: Parker Jacques (Georgia) def. Mitchell Deames (Vanderbilt) 7-5, 6-3