Rice Goes Undefeated in Day Two of AAC Men's and Women's Individual Championship
10/25/2024 7:25:00 PM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
HOUSTON - Rice powered through the second day to earn seven victories in the AAC Men's and Women's Individual Championship at the George R. Brown Tennis Center on Friday.
Rice women's tennis compiled a 3-0 record on the afternoon for every competitor to advance to the main draw semifinals. The tandem of Darya Schwartzman and Fernanda Martinez led off for the Owls, defeating Moeller and Meyer from Memphis by a final score of 8-4.
In women's singles action, Divna Ratkovic took down Naranjo Martinez from Tulsa quickly in the first set with a 6-3 win, but needed a little extra time before defeating her opponent in straight sets with a 7-5 set two victory, setting up a spot in Saturday's semis. Schwartzman fell in the first set to Corsini from UTSA, 3-6, but used a tight 7-5 victory in the second set as the equalizer, then dominated in the third set, 6-2, to set up a date in the semis.
Ratkovic and Schwartzman are on opposite sides of the main draw women's singles bracket. They would not meet until a potential meeting in the main draw finals.
On the men's side, Arthus de la Bassetiere and Kabeer Kapasi opened the day with a dominating 8-1 victory over the tandem of Torres and Alonso from UTSA to secure a spot in the men's doubles semifinals.
In singles backdraw action, Emir Sendogan opened the day by eliminating the No. 1 overall seed in the men's bracket, defeating Alemany from Memphis in three sets. After falling 3-6 in set one, Sendogan overpowered his opponent in the second set, 6-2, to tie the match up. After a competitive third set, Sendogan broke through with a 7-5 victory to move on to the backdraw quarterfinals later in the afternoon.
Also in the singles backdraw, de la Bassetiere powered his way to a three-set victory to advance to tomorrow's backdraw semifinals. After falling in the first set, de la Bassetiere battled in a back and forth second set with Rock, but came out on top 7-6. He then dominated in the third set, 6-1, to claim victory. Sendogan followed that up with his second victory of the day, also in three sets. Sendogan dominated Minaret in the first set, 6-1, but dropped a close 4-6 decision in the second set. After trading blows all through the third set, Sendogan came through with a 6-4 victory to advance to tomorrow's semis.
Action from South Main resumes Saturday morning with doubles action.
RESULTS
Women's Doubles
Schwartzman/Martinez (RICE) def. Moeller/Meyer (MEM), 8-4
Men's Doubles
De la Bassetiere/Kapasi (RICE) def. Torres/Alonso (UTSA), 8-1
Women's Singles
D. Ratkovic (RICE) def. A. Naranjo Martinez (TLSA), 6-3, 7-5
D. Schwartzman (RICE) def. L. Corsini (UTSA), 3-6, 7-5, 6-2
Men's Backdraw
Sendogan (RICE) def. P. Alemany (MEM), 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
De la Bassetiere (RICE) def. Rock (MEM), 2-6, 7-6, 6-1
Sendogan (RICE) def. Minarik (WICH), 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
Players Mentioned
