Alexey Nesterov and Patrick Kaukovalta Impress in ITA Southern Regional Championships on Saturday
10/20/2018 8:11:00 PM | Men's Tennis
The two advanced to the doubles quarterfinals and each won their singles matches
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Junior Alexey Nesterov and sophomore Patrick Kaukovalta advanced to the quarterfinals in doubles, while also winning their respective singles matches at the ITA Southern Regional Championships on Saturday.
The No. 6-seeded Kaukovalta/Nesterov bested Tom El Safadi/Daniel Janko (UAB), 8-6, and then defeated Erlenbusch/Esses (Tulane), 8-6, to move on to the quarterfinals. Kaukovalta/Nesterov will play against the No. 7 doubles pair in the nation, Niclas Braun/Giovani Oradini (Mississippi State) at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Also in doubles action, junior Edson Ortiz and sophomore Riccardo Roberto fell to Schick/Stewart (Tulane), 8-5, and sophomore Sam Fischer and junior Zhe Zhou dropped their match to Dolan/Libaud (Louisiana), 8-5.
In singles play, both Kaukovalta and Nesterov earned wins over nationally-ranked Tulane players, after Nesterov cruised to a 6-4, 6-2, victory over No. 103 Tyler Schick, and Kaukovalta won in straight sets against No. 120 Hamish Stewart, 7-6(6), 6-1.
Nesterov will advance to play Lorenzo Rodriguez (Auburn), while Kaukovalta will compete against Karlo Kranic (Ole Miss) in the Round of 16. Both matches are slated for a 9 a.m. start.
In other singles results, Ortiz dropped a heart-breaker to Malik Bhatnagar (LSU), 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(4), while Zhou battled, but fell short against No. 109 Niclas Braun (Mississippi State), 1-6, 7-6(7), 6-2. Roberto also lost in a close-knit match, 7-6(6), 7-6(2), against Rafael Wagner (LSU).
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Alabama Results
Doubles (Second Round)
Kaukovalta/Nesterov def. El Safadi/Janko (UAB), 8-6
Schick/Stewart (TUL) def. Ortiz/Roberto, 8-5
Dolan/Libaud (UL) def. Fischer/Zhou, 8-5
Doubles (Third Round)
Kaukovalta/Nesterov def. Erlenbusch/Esses (TUL), 8-6
Singles (First Round)
Alexey Nesterov def. No. 103 Tyler Schick (TUL), 6-4, 6-2
Patrick Kaukovalta def. No. 120 Hamish Stewart (TUL), 7-6(6), 6-1
Malik Bhatnagar (LSU) def. Edson Ortiz, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(4)
No. 109 Niclas Braun (MSU) def. Zhe Zhou, 1-6, 7-6(7), 6-2
Rafael Wagner (LSU), def. Riccardo Roberto, 7-6(6), 7-6(2)
Players Mentioned
