Ohio State sophomore, and ITA No. 1, Mikael Torpegaard became the first Buckeye since Blaz Rola in 2013 to advance to the NCAA semifinals. Torpegaard booked his spot with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Wake Forest freshman Petros Chrysochos.
Post-Match Comments from Torp:
On what it’s like to move on to the semifinals as the No. 1 seed…
“It’s a relief. Playing with a target on my back its nice to come out to this match really feeling that I am playing the game I want to. I am taking the initiative in the points, and playing the points in my premises and that’s a great feeling to leave the court with today.
“It’s a relief. Playing with a target on my back its nice to come out to this match really feeling that I am playing the game I want to. I am taking the initiative in the points, and playing the points in my premises and that’s a great feeling to leave the court with today.
On what he takes most from today moving on to semifinals…
“Right now I have the wind in my back. I started out this tournament struggling a little bit with my serve, but I feel like every match it has just got better and better. I can only hope for the match tomorrow to be even better, because I really need to play my best level of tennis to beat these guys.
Torpegaard (OHST) keeps marching to the ! He advances to tomorrow’s #NCAATennis semifinals pic.twitter.com/cVIhXiWfDaNCAA Tennis (@NCAATennis) May 28, 2016
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TCU sophomore Cameron Norrie became the first player in school history to advance to the NCAA semifinals with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over Virginia junior Thai-Son Kwiatkowski. There was only one break in the first set and it came when Kwiatkowski broke Norrie to go up 4-3. Norrie broke Kwiatkowski to go up 4-2 in the second and then broke him again to take the set 6-2. Norrie broke Kwiatkowski on the deciding point to go up 2-0 in the third and then he broke again to go up 5-1.
Norrie(TCU) ADVANCES! He wins in three sets to move on to the semifinal tomorrow pic.twitter.com/G3MgKmnBOMNCAA Tennis (@NCAATennis) May 28, 2016
Post-Match Comments from Cam
On dropping the first set and coming back to win two sets in a row…
“He started off tough and wasn’t missing any balls. I was a little impatient to start off with, and missed a lot of balls and wasn’t willing to grind out the points. In the second set I stayed patient and waited for my opportunity and ended up playing well at the end.
“He started off tough and wasn’t missing any balls. I was a little impatient to start off with, and missed a lot of balls and wasn’t willing to grind out the points. In the second set I stayed patient and waited for my opportunity and ended up playing well at the end.
On keeping composure towards the end of the match…
“I just didn’t want to panic at all and stuck to what I was doing well, serving and slicing my serve well. I just stayed quiet and got it over the line.
On confidence advancing to semifinals for the first time against #1 seed…
“First time for me and I’m really excited to make it through. It’s going to be a good match as I’m playing the #1 seed, so I really am go- ing to rest up and get ready for that one.
On the competition advancing day by day…
“I think what it comes down to is staying in the moment and not thinking too far ahead playing each one. It’s just whoever stays in the moment and competes the hardest.
Post-Match Comments from head coach David Roditi
“Cameron (Norrie) deserves a lot of credit for making the shift in his mindset after a set down and up 3-2 on serve. (Assistant) Coach (Devin) Bowen helped Cameron see what needed to happen and Cameron toughened up and put it all in. Thai-Son (Kwiatkowski) has had a great run and has played a lot of good tennis and looks like he’s in a good place to have a very good summer. Cameron will continue to learn from this match and be ready for another battle tomorrow. We are proud and happy for Cameron’s willingness to fight and compete.
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UCLA junior Mackenzie McDonald advanced to the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-2 win over South Florida senior Roberto Cid. McDonald trailed 3-1 in the opening set before winning nine straight games to take the first set 6-3 and take a 4-0 lead in the second. McDonald’s previous best result at the NCAA Tournament came in his freshman season when he made the quarterfinals. McDonald will try to become the second Bruin to win the NCAAs in the last three years after Marcos Giron won it all in 2014.
McDonald also advanced to the double semifinals as he and Martin Redlicki defeated Oklahoma State’s Julian Cash and Arjun Kadhe 7-6 (4), 7-5. Cash and Kadhe led 5-2 in the first set and had two set points on UCLA’s serve at 5-3 but the Bruins held and then broke to put it back on serve. In the second set, Cash and Kadhe led 3-1 but McDonald and Redlicki broke to even it at 4-4 and then held for 5-4. Cash came back from 0-40 down to even it at 5-5 but after a UCLA hold Kadhe would be broke at love to end it.
Macker is onto the semis! McDonald defeats Cid (USF) 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the NCAA singles final four!!! pic.twitter.com/1nEXWQ4ajKUCLA Men’s Tennis (@uclatennis) May 28, 2016
Final four!!! McDonald/Redlicki defeat Cash/Kadhe (Ok. St.) 7-6, 7-5 to advance to the NCAA doubles semifinals! pic.twitter.com/0XMghLYvByUCLA Men’s Tennis (@uclatennis) May 28, 2016
Post-Match Comments from Mackie
On his thoughts about the match…
“I thought I played a pretty good match. I had a little bit of a slow start, he got up 3-1, but then I cruised from there. I won nine straight games so I definitely got my game together. I’m happy with the results.
“I thought I played a pretty good match. I had a little bit of a slow start, he got up 3-1, but then I cruised from there. I won nine straight games so I definitely got my game together. I’m happy with the results.
On moving onto the semis…
“It feels good, I’ll take it. I still have two more to go if I want to win the whole thing.
On having to play doubles after a singles match…
“It’s kind of just whatever. I’ve played so many matches in my life. I’ve always done this. It’s nothing too new. We’ll be fine. We’ll go out there and be ready.
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Virginia Tech senior Joao Monteiro became the first Hokie in school history to advance to the NCAA semifinals after defeating Illinois sophomore Aleks Vukic 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(3). Vukic jumped out to a 2-0* lead in the opening set but Monteiro won the next four games to go up 4-2. After an exchange of holds, Monteiro broke Vukic to take the opening set 6-3. Monteiro went up 2-0 in the second set but Vukic broke back and held for 2-2. It stayed on serve until Vukic broke Monteiro to go up 6-5 and then he served out the set to take it 7-5. Vukic jumped out to a double break *3-0 lead in the third set but Monteiro broke back and held to make it 3-2. Vukic would lead 5-3 in the third but Monteiro held, broke, and held again to go up 6-5. Vukic held to force a third set tiebreak but Monteiro opened up a 4-1 lead and won it 7-3.
Monteiro(VT) is on to the semifinals! Watch his final point to clinch on a tiebreaker and advance: pic.twitter.com/RovYSGv6fhNCAA Tennis (@NCAATennis) May 28, 2016
Post-Match Comments from Joao
On his win today…
“Another huge fight. That’s four in a row in three sets. Once again, my mind was there in the third set. I started a little slow, down 3-0, but then I got up and the energy was there again, and I started playing better and moving well. When you move well, you automatically play better, so I think that was huge. I’m really happy for this win against a really good player that just played this semester of college matches and he’s top-10, so he’s a great player. It was really good.
On making the semifinals…
“I’m just enjoying the moment. I’m playing against one of the last hopes for an American to win the wild card for the U.S. Open, so I’ll try for those things to not happen and for an American to get the wild card, but I’ll try my best. But he’s the favorite and he’s a really good player, so we’ll see how that goes.
On whether he has played Mackenzie McDonald of UCLA before…
“I don’t know much about him, and I’ve never played him. It’s going to be the first time that I’m going to play against him. It was the same against Vukic, the first time I played against him. It’s going to be the first matchup, so we’ll see how that goes.
On how he recovers for tomorrow after a string of long matches…
“I think I’m in really good shape. I proved that in the third sets, I have the edge. I think (I’ve been) a good competitor this semester with great energy, and I feel like I won my last three matches with heart. Tomorrow I’ll try my best and keep fighting even if things don’t go my way at the beginning.
Post-Match Quotes from Illinois’s recap
“It is always tough to lose 7-6 in the third, but I won that way two matches ago. You win some, you lose some,” Vukic said. “I’m trying to see the progress in my game and will look forward to working hard this summer.”
“It was a great effort today from Vukic. He fought down a break in the second and pulled that set out,” head coach Brad Dancer said. “The heartbreaking aspect was that he had a chance to win it in the third. Credit to Monteiro, they both fought hard. It was a really great match. I’m really happy and proud for ‘Vuki’ for the season he has had. He’s been a great leader and were excited for his progression this summer.”
Men’s Quarterfinals
#1 [1] Mikael Torpegaard (Ohio St.) def. #27 Petros Chrysochos (Wake Forest), 6-3, 6-0
#5 [5] Cameron Norrie (TCU) def. #9 [9-16] Thai-Son Kwiatkowski (Virginia), 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
#14 [9-16] Joao Monteiro (Virginia Tech) def. #4 [4] Aleks Vukic (Illinois), 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (3)
#6 [6] Mackenzie McDonald (UCLA) def. #2 [2] Roberto Cid (South Fla.), 6-3, 6-2
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North Carolina junior Hayley Carter joined UCLA’s Mackenzie McDonald as the only players to make both the singles and doubles semifinals. Carter defeated Oklahoma State junior Katarina Adamovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 while she and Whitney Kay defeated South Carolina’s Hadley Berg and Paige Cline 6-1, 6-2. Carter will be trying to make it two years in a row that a UNC Tar Heel has won the singles championship after Jamie Loeb won it last year. Carter’s previous best result was a quarterfinal finish her freshman year. Carter and Kay became the first players from UNC to make it past the doubles quarterfinals since Jenna Long and Sara Anundsen won the National Title in 2007.
Carter (UNC) puts it away and advances to tomorrow’s semifinal! pic.twitter.com/BsHRBERJKWNCAA Tennis (@NCAATennis) May 28, 2016
Carter/Kay (@UNC_wtennis) have claimed their spot in the semifinals! pic.twitter.com/eVsrtqcJMxNCAA Tennis (@NCAATennis) May 28, 2016
Post-Match Comments from Carter
On what changed in the second and third sets…
“During the changeover after the first set, coach did a great job of pumping me up and talking to me and letting me know I was in it every single game in that first set and I just had a couple of bad breaks in the no-ad points and I had to come out in the second really strong. I think I was able to do that.
“During the changeover after the first set, coach did a great job of pumping me up and talking to me and letting me know I was in it every single game in that first set and I just had a couple of bad breaks in the no-ad points and I had to come out in the second really strong. I think I was able to do that.
On how the no-ad format affects matches…
“I don’t want to think it changes too many things. I think we’ve all gotten used to it and obviously it changes things if you let it get in your head. I think I let it get a little bit in my head in the first. I didn’t let that happen the rest of the way.
On Katarina Adamovic’s run in the postseason…
“I heard people calling it a Cinderella story, but I wouldn’t call it that. I think everyone knew coming in how great she was and she proved that this tournament. All credit goes to her for an unbelievable tournament. She really pushed me today and she forced me to step up. I was fortunate to be able to do it.
On facing Sinead Lohan of Miami on Sunday…
“It’s going to be a battle. She plays a little bit similar to the girl I played today, really heavy on the forehand. We’ve had so many unbe- lievable battles in the last year or so, and I’m looking forward to another one.
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Virginia senior Danielle Collins is into the semifinals for the second time in the last three years after defeating Mississippi State’s Jasmine Lee 7-5, 6-3. Collins broke Lee to take the first set and then after breaking in the second she served it out from 40-15 to win it. Collins won the NCAA Championship in her first year in Charlottesville after transferring from Florida following her freshman year.
Collins (UVA) ADVANCES and is in to the semifinal! pic.twitter.com/958SFuYiaaNCAA Tennis (@NCAATennis) May 28, 2016
Post-Match Comments from Collins
On what she thought about the match…
“I got off to a really hot start, but then she started to give me a run for my money. I had to pick it up, and say… not today’. I really had to battle towards the end of the first set, but luckily I picked it up and it carried me through the second set.
“I got off to a really hot start, but then she started to give me a run for my money. I had to pick it up, and say… not today’. I really had to battle towards the end of the first set, but luckily I picked it up and it carried me through the second set.
On weather conditions…
“I am good with any type of weather. I am from Florida so I’m used to the heat, the humidity, and it being really windy. I go to school at Virginia and it’s freezing there so I’ve gotten a taste of everything.
On mindset going into tomorrow…
“I think I’ve been improving as the tournament goes on and playing better each match. There are a lot of really tough competitors so I just need to get prepared and give it my all tomorrow.
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Pepperdine freshman Luisa Stefani became the first Wave in school history to make it to the semifinals after defeating Georgia’s Kennedy Shaffer 6-1, 6-4. Stefani broke a 1-1 tie in the first by winning the next five to take the set 6-1. Shaffer led 2-0 in the second before Stefani broke and held for 2-2. It stayed on serve until Stefani broke to go up 5-4 and then she served it out to win it 6-1, 6-4.
Post-Match Comments from Stefani
On her win today…
“I’m really happy to get through to the semis. It was a tough match. I wasn’t feeling great on the court. I think I was a little nervous the whole match. My strokes were kind of tight. I relied on her mistakes more than stepping in, so I that’s what I should work on to get ready for the semis. I feel like I have to be more aggressive. I’m really happy I got through it, and it was a great challenge today.
“I’m really happy to get through to the semis. It was a tough match. I wasn’t feeling great on the court. I think I was a little nervous the whole match. My strokes were kind of tight. I relied on her mistakes more than stepping in, so I that’s what I should work on to get ready for the semis. I feel like I have to be more aggressive. I’m really happy I got through it, and it was a great challenge today.
On making the semifinals…
“This is my first time in this tournament, so I’m just really excited to be in the semis. I’m going to keep working, and hopefully go all the way.
On what she can do differently tomorrow…
“I’m going to watch a little bit of their match, but I’m just looking to play my game and do what I try to do every match, and improve on what I did today serve better, maybe just my forehand more, use my strokes better.
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Miami sophomore Sinead Lohan advanced to the semifinals with a straight set win over Texas senior Breaunna Addison. Lohan jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening set before Addison broke and held to even it at 2-2. Lohan won the next four to close out a 6-2 set before Addison rebounded by taking the first two games of the second set. Lohan reeled off four in a row to go up 4-2 but Addison broke and held to even it at 4-4. Lohan would hold for 5-4 and then break on the deciding point to win it 6-2, 6-4.
It is the second year in a row that Miami has put someone into the semifinals after Stephanie Wagner made it last year.
Post-Match Comments from Lohan
On winning in two straight sets and her opponents coming back to tie the score at 4-4 in the second set after being down 4-2…
“I always knew that she was not going to give it to me easy. She is a fighter, and even when I knew I was up I knew that I couldn’t take my foot off the pedal and go easy. I know how much of a fighter she is, so I am just happy to get it done.
“I always knew that she was not going to give it to me easy. She is a fighter, and even when I knew I was up I knew that I couldn’t take my foot off the pedal and go easy. I know how much of a fighter she is, so I am just happy to get it done.
On being in the semifinals and the excitement she has going into it…
“I am from Ireland, and a lot of people come here but there is not many in this tournament so that’s exciting. I have played Hayley before because we are in the same conference. If she wins in the semis, I will be excited. Either way I am excited, because this is my first time in the semifinals.
Women’s Quarterfinals
#1 [1] Hayley Carter (North Carolina) def. #47 Katarina Adamovic (Oklahoma St.), 4-6, 6-1, 6-0
#8 [8] Sinead Lohan (Miami (FL)) def. #10 [9-16] Breaunna Addison (Texas), 6-2, 6-4
#6 [7] Luisa Stefani (Pepperdine) def. #28 Kennedy Shaffer (Georgia), 6-1, 6-4
#2 [2] Danielle Collins (Virginia) def. #13 [9-16] Jasmine Lee (Mississippi St.), 7-5, 6-3
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#8 [8] Sinead Lohan (Miami (FL)) def. #10 [9-16] Breaunna Addison (Texas), 6-2, 6-4
#6 [7] Luisa Stefani (Pepperdine) def. #28 Kennedy Shaffer (Georgia), 6-1, 6-4
#2 [2] Danielle Collins (Virginia) def. #13 [9-16] Jasmine Lee (Mississippi St.), 7-5, 6-3
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East Tennessee State’s David Biosca and Rogerio Ribeiro rewrote the school record books again on Saturday after defeating North Carolina’s Jack Murray and Brayden Schnur 6-2, 7-6(7). Going into the tournament ETSU had never had a team advance past the first round in the Doubles Championships but now Biosca and Ribeiro are just one match away from playing for a National Championship.
The moment that Biosca/Ribeiro(ETSU) claim their spot in the men’s doubles semifinal! pic.twitter.com/nDu5I4d3XHNCAA Tennis (@NCAATennis) May 28, 2016
Post-Match Comments from Ribeiro
On the quarterfinal match win against the Tar Heels…
“I mean it’s one after another you know, yesterday was a very tough match. Today I knew that the guys would come big, they’re great volleys, they’re great players but we have our tactic and I think that we posed up very well. More than anything we played very loosely, we wanted to win and we played with that will until the end of the game so I think that was important today.
On the quarterfinal match win against the Tar Heels…
“I mean it’s one after another you know, yesterday was a very tough match. Today I knew that the guys would come big, they’re great volleys, they’re great players but we have our tactic and I think that we posed up very well. More than anything we played very loosely, we wanted to win and we played with that will until the end of the game so I think that was important today.
On defeating #1 seed respectively yesterday and win today…
“Like we did yesterday shocking number one in the nation after that, not that they are the best or the other guys are not good, but once you get that win you take a little weight off your body and just come stronger next time so that’s what we’re doing.
Post-Match Comments from Biosca
On confidence advancing into semifinals…
“Well winning matches like that (defeating #1 seed) give you a lot of confidence and we are going to try to go win our game. As he (Ribeiro) said we have our tactic and plan to win and we are going to do that.
Post-Match Comments from ETSU’s recap
“I’m beyond words, said ETSU Head Coach Yaser Zaatini. “The pride, the excitement and the way these guys are holding the ETSU brand up high is definitely making a national impact. We are all so fortunate to be living this moment. Go Bucs!
Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals
#63 David Biosca-Rogerio Ribeiro (ETSU) def. #27 Jack Murray-Brayden Schnur (North Carolina), 6-2, 7-6 (7)
#8 Arthur Rinderknech-Jackson Withrow (Texas A&M) def. #13 Skander Mansouri-Christian Seraphim (Wake Forest), 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (6)
#15 Alex Lawson-Quentin Monaghan (Notre Dame) def. #9 [5-8] Filip Bergevi-Florian Lakat (California), 6-3, 7-5
#2 [2] Mackenzie McDonald-Martin Redlicki (UCLA) def. #10 [5-8] Julian Cash-Arjun Kadhe (Oklahoma St.), 7-6 (4), 7-5
#8 Arthur Rinderknech-Jackson Withrow (Texas A&M) def. #13 Skander Mansouri-Christian Seraphim (Wake Forest), 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (6)
#15 Alex Lawson-Quentin Monaghan (Notre Dame) def. #9 [5-8] Filip Bergevi-Florian Lakat (California), 6-3, 7-5
#2 [2] Mackenzie McDonald-Martin Redlicki (UCLA) def. #10 [5-8] Julian Cash-Arjun Kadhe (Oklahoma St.), 7-6 (4), 7-5
Women’s Doubles Quarterfinals
#2 [1] Hayley Carter-Whitney Kay (North Carolina) def. #29 Hadley Berg-Paige Cline (South Carolina), 6-1, 6-2
#4 [4] Maegan Manasse-Denise Starr (California) def. #32 Mayar Sherif Ahmed-Rana Sherif Ahmed (Fresno St.), 6-1, 7-5
#3 [3] Brooke Austin-Kourtney Keegan (Florida) def. #15 Alexandra Osborne-Ebony Panoho (Arizona St.), 6-4, 6-1
#7 [5-8] Catherine Harrison-Kyle McPhillips (UCLA) def. #1 [2] Mami Adachi-Aldila Sutjiadi (Kentucky), 6-0, 6-2
#4 [4] Maegan Manasse-Denise Starr (California) def. #32 Mayar Sherif Ahmed-Rana Sherif Ahmed (Fresno St.), 6-1, 7-5
#3 [3] Brooke Austin-Kourtney Keegan (Florida) def. #15 Alexandra Osborne-Ebony Panoho (Arizona St.), 6-4, 6-1
#7 [5-8] Catherine Harrison-Kyle McPhillips (UCLA) def. #1 [2] Mami Adachi-Aldila Sutjiadi (Kentucky), 6-0, 6-2
I agree with Manny Diaz that Singles/Doubles Championships should be in the Fall. There are no kids in school so attendance is impacted.<br />All the other players and teams are gone. <br />Players must be pretty exhausted after the Spring season, many nursing injuries.<br />If a player is playing only individuals and his team wasn't in Final 16, he's been waiting around a long time. <br />It would create better rankings for the regular season.
Crowds were good for individuals in 2010 in Athens when Georgia's Chelsey Gullickson won the title. Never underestimate the importance of weather and local players when it comes to attendance. And school still in session also helps.
Monteiro is my pick to win the whole thing you can tell even on video how much fight that boy has look for him to do big things
I thought the crowds were very good for the team portion but as expected they have been pretty weak for the individuals. I don't remember the last time there were big crowds for the individuals at the D1 level – maybe back in 07 when Isner made a run to the finals in Athens. The Wednesday/Thursday/Friday sessions of the individuals aren't going to draw much unless there are multiple local players still in it though the crowds should be up on the weekend but not like they were for the team portion. <br /><br />The weather hurt the crowds on Thursday, Monday, and Tuesday. Thursday was the only day where the paid attendance didn't exceed 1000 and that was because every match was played indoors with two getting sent to Stillwater. I thought the crowd was about 200-300 light for the Oklahoma/Georgia semifinal on Monday because it was scheduled for 4pm but the 7pm start time wasn't announced until 6pm so a lot of people had already given up. The men's final really got hurt by the weather because if it would have been played outdoors at the 6pm scheduled time there would have been at least 1500 on hand but by playing indoors at 7pm they couldn't let more than 500 in. <br /><br /><br /><br />
Doubles to 6 games is a horrible idea!!! Just go to 8 and it will be better for players and fans. A 20 minute doubles is not fun for anyone.
Bobby how do feel about the crowd at the tournament this year? I just saw some videos from the D3 tournament in Kalamazoo and I frankly think its pitiful that they are able to pull more of a crowd than this D1 tournament.
Have you seen the way Thai has been playing this week? Tough to rule him out.
I hope doubles goes to 8 games next year in the team competition. Thev doubles teams that are left (presumably the best teams) only had modest succes when games are played to 6. Basically, if you have a slow start you are finished.
Like Torp, Norrie, Vukic, McDonald. All four should be good ones – Norrie vs. Kwiatkowski is a near toss up but I'm leaning Norrie since he has played three less matches than Thai over the last week.
Bobby, what are your picks for who will advance to the next round?