The Illinois State University mens tennis team competed Friday at the Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Region V Men's Regional Championships looking to advance in singles and doubles play. However, the Redbirds struggled as a team and failed to advance any members in the main draws in Tulsa, Okla.
No. 9 seed Djordje Uskokovic came closest to the Round of 32 in his match against Marek Velicka of Oklahoma. Velicka took the first set 6-2, but Uskokovic fought back to win the second set 6-3 to force the match into a third and final set. In the third set, Uskokovic was eliminated from main draw play as Velicka took the last set 6-2.
Guillermo Gomez, Alban Renard and Alfredo Lagarda also competed in the main singles draw, however none were able to survive their first round matches. They will now be added to the tournaments singles consolation bracket and will play Saturday.
In doubles action, two Redbird teams competed in main draw, which took place after singles play was completed. Weisel Kemp and Omair Qayyan of Oral Roberts upset No. 2 seeds Guillermo Gomez and Djordje Uskokovic 8-5 while Alfredo Lagarda and Alban Renard fell to Andrei Nicoara and Tally Parker of Arkansas 8-3.
Head coach Greg Kennett said it was just one of those days for his players.
Today was a highly disappointing day for us, said Kennett. But in tennis we all have these days and we will just have to learn from it and move on.
Play resumes at 9 a.m. Saturday Oct. 16, with singles action in both the main draw and consolation competition. Doubles play will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center on Tulsas campus.
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ITA Regional Results (FRIDAY)
Round of 64 SINGLES
Marek Velicka (OU) def. No. 9 Djordje Uskokovic (ISU), 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
Ross Cunningham (TU) def. Guillermo Gomez (ISU), 6-4, 6-3
Edson Abrao (UALR) def. Alfredo Lagarda (ISU), 6-4, 6-2
No. 3 Tomas Bohunicky (OSU) def. Alban Renard (ISU), 6-3, 6-2
Round of 32 DOUBLES
Nicoara/Parker (ARK) d. Lagarda/Renard (ISU) 8-3
Kemp/Qayyan (Oral Roberts) d. Gomez/Uskokovic (ISU) 8-5
