CARY, NC – The Clemson men’s tennis team wrapped up day one at the ITA Regionals in Cary, NC Jorge Plans Gonzalez, Maxwell Smith, Spencer Whitaker, Ethan Silva and Ryuhei Azuma all won in the first round while Plans Gonzalez and Azuma will continue their main draw success tomorrow afternoon with two singles wins.
“Overall, it was a pretty good day for us,” coach Robbie Weiss said. “Ryuhei played well in his morning match and played very well in the last two sets of the second round match. Coke fought back from a set down in his morning match and played well to beat his opponent from North Carolina. Coke sailed into his afternoon match. Spencer and Max were both beaten by better players on the day in their second round matches.”
“Trey, Ethan and Matt had some ups and downs today, but had some positives to take away from the day. Ryuhei and Coke have tough 3rd round matches tomorrow against NC State opponents while Matt will compete in the consolation. Excited to see how the boys respond tomorrow in the singles before heading into the first rounds of the doubles.”
Planet Gonzalez got the Tigers off to a great start, winning a close match against North Carolina’s Christopher Li in three sets (4-6, 6-2, 6-2) before Smith defeated Robby Krick of the College of Charleston in quick sets, 6. -2, 6-1. Not long after Whitaker earned a 7-5 victory in the first set before winning the second in 6-3 fashion against South Carolina State’s Luka Stefanovic.
Freshman Silva posted a three-set victory over UNC Asheville’s Bruno Serra (5-7, 7-6, 6-4) before Ryuhei Azuma made quick work of Charlotte’s Coy Simon (6-3, 6-2) .
Stinchcomb struggled on his court and dropped his match and was unable to win in the second draw. M. Pitts lost his first match of the day to Maj Tomac of Coastal Carolina 4-6, 4-6, but came out on top in his second match, defeating Ian Rasheed of Wofford 3-6, 6-1 , 10-8 to advance him to the consolation round tomorrow.
Whitaker, Silva and Smith dropped all afternoon matches, but Plans Gonzalez and Azuma emerged victorious in second round play with victories over Brann Reid (6-3, 6-4) and Elijah Poritzky (3-6, 6- 3). , 6-4), respectively.
The Tigers return to the court tomorrow afternoon in Cary for the second day of the ITA Regionals and will begin doubles play.
For more information see the ITA tour page.
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