Oct. 15, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio -
Alexander Pelaez and Tuomas Manner teamed up to win 2-of-2 doubles matches in the ITA Regional Tournament at the Stickney Tennis Center on Saturday. The two advanced to the quarterfinals of the main draw in doubles action.
Muddappa Appanervanda and Willi Peter paired up to beat Notre Dame's Ryan Brandy and Blas Moros in the first round of the main draw, 8-4.
Assistant Coach Branko Kuzmanovic was proud of Appanervanda and Peter's win.
"The guys did a very good job," said Kuzmanovic. "They played very aggressive and they had a high level of energy throughout the entire match which is what we have been asking them to do."
The third day of competition started out with singles action. Pelaez lost to Connor Smith of Ohio State, 6-4, 6-4 while Northwestern's Josh Graves beat Jusso Ojanen, 7-6, 6-4.
"Both Jusso and Alex played a good match," said Kuzmanovic. "They didn't execute as well as they should of and came up a little short against really good players, but they did a good job."
Pelaez and Manner paired up for the second time in the tournament to beat Barrett Franks and Alex Petrone of Michigan State, 8-4. They continued their winning streak to defeat Ohio State's Kevin Metka and Steven Williams in the third round of doubles action, 8-6.
"Alex and Tuomas continued to play great together and continued their great run from the All-American," said Kuzmanovic. "They are playing well together and I think they can continue to go really far in this tournament. We are excited to see what is going to happen Sunday."
Pelaez and Manner will take on Shaun Bernstein and Evan King of Michigan State in the quarterfinals of doubles play Sunday. The match is set to begin at 11:30 a.m.
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