Tsukamoto Plays Way to Main Draw Round of 16
ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Miami senior Henrique Tsukamoto played his way to the Main Draw Round of 16 Friday at the USTA Clay Court Invitational presented by Visit Florida at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla.
Tsukamoto, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, won his first match of the day in a second-round match-up against Jose Sangroniz in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5. Tsukamoto, the No. 9-16 seed, then faced the No. 1 seed Hunter Harrington from Clemson, who is also ranked No. 30 nationally. The match was incredibly competitive as Tsukamoto pushed it to three sets with a pair of tiebreakers, but he was unable to close out falling, 7-6 (8), 6-7 (6), 6-4.
Four more Canes also competed in the main draw second round. Freshman Christian Langmo battled in a competitive three-set match against Marko Krikovic from Auburn, but fell 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(6). Nile Clark, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., had the tough task of playing the No. 6 seed, No. 107 Mike Vermeer from Columbia. Clark was unable to develop a rhythm and ultimately fell in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. After winning two tough matches yesterday, fellow freshman Andrew Harrington fell to Jose Gracia from host Florida State, 6-2, 6-2. Lone sophomore Bernard Tefel also had the difficult task of playing No. 9-16 seed, No. 47 Max de Vroome from USC who imposed his style of play and closed out, 6-2, 6-3.
In consolation draw singles action, both Kevin Bondar and Wilfredo Gonzalez ended the day with victories. Bondar comfortably earned his first win as a Cane against Tyler Pate from UCF in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Senior Gonzalez closed out the match, after being challenged in the second set, to win in straight sets against Francesc Aulina from UCF, 6-3, 6-4.
In doubles play, Tefel and Harrington played Thomas Colautti and Zack McCour from Princeton, but came up short, 8-6.
The Canes continue play tomorrow at 8 a.m. at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney in Orlando, Fla. The Canes’ schedule is listed below.
The USTA Clay Court Invitational is the largest clay court event in college tennis, featuring many of the country’s top college teams and players – will be delivered live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app this week. The Invitational is being delivered by ESPN3 for the second consecutive year, and will be accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets, Xbox, Apple TV and Roku devices.
Stay up to date with the Canes this weekend at @2014_CCI and follow the #LoveFL on Twittter. Always follow the Canes on HurricaneSports.com. To interact with the UM men’s tennis team socially, follow @CanesMensTennis on Twitter and like the team on Facebook.com/CanesMensTennis.
Results – Friday
Main Draw Singles
Round of 32
[9-16] Henrique Tsukamoto (UM) def. Jose Sangroniz (UCF), 6-3, 7-5
Jose Gracia (FSU) def. Andrew Harrington (UM), 6-2, 6-2
Marko Krikovic (AU) def. Christian Langmo (UM), 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(6)
#107 [6] Mike Vermeer (CU) def. Nile Clark (UM), 6-3, 6-2
#47 [9-16] Max de Vroome (USC) def. Bernard Tefel (UM), 6-2, 6-3
Main Draw Singles
Round of 16
#30 [1] Hunter Harrington (CU) def. [9-16] Henrique Tsukamoto (UM), 7-6 (8), 6-7 (6), 6-4
Consolation Draw Singles
Kevin Bondar (UM) def. Tyler Pate (UCF), 6-2, 6-3
Wilfredo Gonzalez (UM) vs. Francesc Aulina (UCF), 6-3, 6-4
Main Draw Doubles
McCourt/Colautti (PU) def. Tefel/Harrington (UM), 8-6
Schedule of Play – Saturday
Consolation Draw Singles
8:00 a.m. Kevin Bondar (UM) vs. Arjun Watane (UCF)
8:00 a.m. Wilfredo Gonzalez (UM) vs. Tomas Hanzlik (PSU)
