Jankulovski Secures Spot in All-American Main Draw
TULSA, Okla. – University of Miami men’s tennis sophomore Bojan Jankulovski continued his strong play Tuesday at the Saint Francis Health System ITA Men’s All-American Championship, picking up two more victories.
Facing Columbia’s William Matheson, No. 92 Jankulovski dropped the opening set, 4-6. After regrouping, he rallied off back-to-back dominant performances to advance to the final stage of qualifiers, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Squaring off against a seasoned veteran in the third round, Jankulovski cruised past Loyola Marymount senior Lukas Moenter, 6-1, 6-2, to earn a spot in Thursday’s main draw.
“Bojan played some of the best tennis I’ve seen him play. He showed lots of mental toughness throughout qualifying rounds and beat three quality opponents,” assistant coach Petar Danolic said.
Tuesday’s pair of victories were a day removed from Jankulovski’s first round victory over the nation’s 81st-ranked player, Southern California’s Lauren Verboven, who last week won the prestigious Oracle ITA Masters men’s championship.
Entering Thursday’s main draw, Jankulovski will be joined by classmate Adria Soriano Barrera, who will be making his first appearance in the All-American Championship.
Soriano will open things up with a 1 p.m. ET matchup against No. 50 Alex Brown of Illinois, while Jankulovski will battle No. 91 Bar Botzer of Wake Forest at 3 p.m.
“Our expectations are always to fight and give it our best physical and mental effort,” Danolic said.
The University of Tulsa is hosting the championship for the 13th straight season, with matches taking place on the courts of the Michael D. Case Tennis Center. Following the conclusion of Tuesday’s qualifiers, main draw matches will transpire between Oct. 4-8.
In addition to vying for the All-American national title, players will be competing to secure a berth into the 2017 Oracle ITA National Fall Championships, which takes place November 1-5, in Palm Desert, Calif. Singles quarterfinalists and consolation singles champion finalists, along with doubles semifinalists and consolation doubles finalists earn a trip to the Golden State.
A player from the ACC has won the Saint Francis ITA Men’s All-American Singles Championship in each of the past eight years. William Blumberg of North Carolina won the 2017 event.
To keep up with the University of Miami tennis team on social media, follow @CanesMensTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Tuesday Results
Singles Qualifier – Third Round
No. 92 Bojan Jankulovski (UM) def. Lukas Moenter (LMU), 6-1, 6-2
Singles Qualifier – Second Round
No. 92 Bojan Jankulovski (UM) def. William Matheson (CU), 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
Monday Results
Singles Qualifier – First Round
No. 92 Bojan Jankulovski (UM) def. No. 81 Laurens Verboven (USC), 6-4, 6-2
Doubles Qualifier – Round of 64
Evrard/Nesterenko (NV) def. No. 51 Madonia/Soriano (UM), 6-4, 7-6 (3)
No. 45 Botzer/Zlobinsky (WF) def. Dunlap/Jankulovski (UM), 6-3, 6-3
Sunday Results
Singles Pre-Qualifier – Round of 64
Paul Barretto (CA) def. Stephen Madonia, 6-3, 6-0
Saturday Results
Singles Pre-Qualifier – Round of 256
Stephen Madonia (UM) def. Edward Pudney (MN), W/O
Dane Dunlap (UM) def. William Woodall (VA), 3-6, 6-2, 6-0
Singles Pre-Qualifier – Round of 128
Stephen Madonia (UM) def. Gabriel Dias (WIN), 7-5, 3-6, 6-3
Luca Wiedenmann (TN) def. Dane Dunlap (UM), 6-2, 6-2
