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Kilani Advanced to the Second Round of Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American
10/5/2017 6:09:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Main Draw
Singles
Majed Kilani (Tulsa) def. #54 Logan Smith (USC), 6-4, 6-2
#33 Eduardo Mena (Tenn. Tech) def. Joshua Goodger (Tulsa), 6-0, 7-6 (7-4)
Main Draw
Doubles
Tim Handel/Ruben Montano (NAU) def. Lucca Baptista/Joshua Goodger (Tulsa), 6-4, 6-4
TULSA, Okla. – Majed Kilani, who was an automatic qualifier for the main draw and Joshua Goodger, who had to win three matches to earn a spot in the main draw, represented Tulsa men's tennis in the Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American main draw on Thursday. Kilani advanced to the second round, after he defeated USC's Logan Smith (6-4, 6-2). Goodger was knocked off by #33 Eduardo Mena (6-0, 7-6 (7-4)).
Majed Kilani faced the No. 54 ranked player by the ITA, Logan Smith of USC. Smith jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but Kilani tied the first set at 1-1, after both men served. Smith took a game on his serve, then broke Kilani to take a 3-1 lead, in the first set. Kilani was unfazed and broke Smith's serve, to pull within one game, 3-2. While on serve, Kilani gained another game and tied the first set at 3-3. Kilani broke Smith for a second time in the set and took a 4-3 lead. Kilani won on serve again and held a 5-3 lead in the first set. After Smith took a game on serve, to make the first set 5-4, Kilani answered by winning a game on his serve. Kilani took the first set, 6-3. Smith started the second set by winning on serve. Kilani responded with a win on his serve to tie the second set, 1-1. Kilani broke Smith's serve and added a game on his serve, to take a 3-1 lead in the second. Kilani had the momentum on his side as he broke Smith once again and took a 4-1 lead. Kilani was on point with his serve yet again, and extended his lead to 5-1 in the second set. After Smith won a game to make the set, 5-2, Kilani ended the match, 6-2, as he capitalized on his serve yet again. Kilani defeated No. 54 Smith, 6-4 and 6-2.
After he defeated the No. 58 singles player and the No. 2 freshmen, Joshua Goodger was faced with another ranked opponent in No. 33 Eduardo Mena of Tennessee Tech. In the first set, Mena managed to break Goodger three times, as he won the first set 6-0. Goodger was undaunted by the first set as he took the first game in the second set. Mena won a game on his first service of the second set, and tied the match at 1-1. The two men each won their next games serving, to make the set 2-2. Mena broke Goodger's serve and took a 3-2 lead in the second set. Mena won another game on serve to extend his lead to 4-2. Mena broke Goodger's serve, which made his lead 5-2. Goodger showed resilience and broke Mena's serve to take the set to 5-3. Goodger added another game as he won on serve and pulled within one of Mena, 5-4. Goodger kept the momentum going and broke Mena, yet again and made it three consecutive games, to tie the second set at 5-5. The two men each won a game on their serves, to force a tiebreak with the second set tied at 6-6. Mena won the tiebreak, 7-4 to win the second set 7-6 (7-4). Mena took the match 6-0 and 7-6 (7-4).
In doubles action, the tandem of Lucca Baptista and Joshua Goodger took on Northern Arizona's Tim Handel and Ruben Montano. In the first set, both teams won games on their serves. With the first set at 5-4, in favor of NAU, NAU broke the Tulsa serve to take the first set, 6-4. Like the first set, the second set started with each team taking games on the serve. With the score at 3-2, NAU broke Tulsa's serve and took a 4-2 lead in the second. With NAU leading 5-3, the Golden Hurricane broke the Lumberjacks' serve and made the score, 5-4. NAU managed to break the TU serve for a second time, which won the second set, 6-4. NAU took the match 6-4, 6-4.
Action resumes on Friday, Oct. 6. The time will be announced later. Kilani will face No. 43 ranked player by the ITA, Alexis Galarneau of N.C. State.
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, April 16
Thursday, February 08
Thursday, January 19
Thursday, April 21