Photo by: Bill Powell
Kilani Advances to Round of 16 at Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships
10/5/2018 4:49:00 PM | Men's Tennis
TULSA, Okla. – University of Tulsa men's tennis senior Majed Kilani defeated Daniel Cukierman of USC, 6-4, 6-4, in the round of 32 to advance to the round of 16 at the Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships on Friday.
Cukierman entered the day ranked No. 31 in the Oracle ITA preseason singles rankings, while Kilani was slotted at 39th in the NCAA.
The first set played out per Kilani's usual, with each side holding serve until Kilani broke to move ahead, 4-3. The senior showed his veteran resolve, holding serve to clinch the set, 6-4.
Set two unfolded similarly, as both sides held serve until Kilani broke once again to lead, 4-3. In another tight set, Kilani fought off a late rally from Cukierman, securing the set and match, 6-4, 6-4.
With the win, Kilani squares off with the tournament No. 1 seed, Nuno Borges of Mississippi State, tomorrow with the time to be announced later this evening. Borges was ranked No. 2 in the country in the preseason Oracle ITA singles rankings.
Freshman Kody Pearson looked to continue his strong tournament on Friday, squaring off with JJ Wolf of Ohio State. Pearson battled back after falling down 0-2 in the first frame, but dropped the set, 6-1. The Sydney, Australia, native rallied in the second set, but fell to Wolf in the match, 6-1, 6-2.
In doubles, junior Jarod Hing and newcomer Daniel Siddall went head-to-head with Jan-Simon Vrbsky and Tomas Vaise (SMU) in the doubles consolation bracket. Hing exemplified his strong serve in set one, but the duo fell to SMU, 7-5.
In the second set, Tulsa broke to move up 3-2, which allowed the Golden Hurricane duo to take the frame, 6-4. The final stanza consisted of more strong service play from Tulsa, as the tandem defeated SMU in the final tiebreaker set, 10-8.
The next round of the main draw takes place on Saturday, Oct. 6, with match times to be announced later this evening.
The Saint Francis Health System ITA Men's All-American Championships' event page can be found here, which includes updated draws and more.
This marks the 14th-straight year Tulsa serves as the official tournament host.
For all Tulsa men's tennis news and information as the team continues to host the Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships, visit TulsaHurricane.com. Follow the team on Twitter and Facebook.
Tulsa Day Six Results – Main Draw
Singles
Majed Kilani def. Daniel Cukierman (USC), 6-4, 6-4
JJ Wolf (Ohio State) def. Kody Pearson, 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
Jarod Hing/Daniel Siddall def. Jan-Simon Vrbsky/Tomas Vaise (SMU), 5-7, 6-4, 10-8
Remaining Tournament Schedule
Main Draw – Oct. 4-8
Cukierman entered the day ranked No. 31 in the Oracle ITA preseason singles rankings, while Kilani was slotted at 39th in the NCAA.
The first set played out per Kilani's usual, with each side holding serve until Kilani broke to move ahead, 4-3. The senior showed his veteran resolve, holding serve to clinch the set, 6-4.
Set two unfolded similarly, as both sides held serve until Kilani broke once again to lead, 4-3. In another tight set, Kilani fought off a late rally from Cukierman, securing the set and match, 6-4, 6-4.
With the win, Kilani squares off with the tournament No. 1 seed, Nuno Borges of Mississippi State, tomorrow with the time to be announced later this evening. Borges was ranked No. 2 in the country in the preseason Oracle ITA singles rankings.
Freshman Kody Pearson looked to continue his strong tournament on Friday, squaring off with JJ Wolf of Ohio State. Pearson battled back after falling down 0-2 in the first frame, but dropped the set, 6-1. The Sydney, Australia, native rallied in the second set, but fell to Wolf in the match, 6-1, 6-2.
In doubles, junior Jarod Hing and newcomer Daniel Siddall went head-to-head with Jan-Simon Vrbsky and Tomas Vaise (SMU) in the doubles consolation bracket. Hing exemplified his strong serve in set one, but the duo fell to SMU, 7-5.
In the second set, Tulsa broke to move up 3-2, which allowed the Golden Hurricane duo to take the frame, 6-4. The final stanza consisted of more strong service play from Tulsa, as the tandem defeated SMU in the final tiebreaker set, 10-8.
The next round of the main draw takes place on Saturday, Oct. 6, with match times to be announced later this evening.
The Saint Francis Health System ITA Men's All-American Championships' event page can be found here, which includes updated draws and more.
This marks the 14th-straight year Tulsa serves as the official tournament host.
For all Tulsa men's tennis news and information as the team continues to host the Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships, visit TulsaHurricane.com. Follow the team on Twitter and Facebook.
Tulsa Day Six Results – Main Draw
Singles
Majed Kilani def. Daniel Cukierman (USC), 6-4, 6-4
JJ Wolf (Ohio State) def. Kody Pearson, 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
Jarod Hing/Daniel Siddall def. Jan-Simon Vrbsky/Tomas Vaise (SMU), 5-7, 6-4, 10-8
Remaining Tournament Schedule
Main Draw – Oct. 4-8
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