Bastias Named ACC Player of the Week

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – For just the second time in program history, a freshman on the University of Miami men’s tennis team garnered ACC player of the Week accolades, as announced Tuesday afternoon by the conference office.

Leading the Hurricanes to their first 2-0 start in conference action since 2011, Francisco Bastias became the first Miami freshman to earn the weekly honor since Carl Sundberg did so on April 8, 2008.

The achievement marks the second time this season a Hurricane received the award, as sophomore Adria Soriano Barrera was named ACC Player of the Week on Jan. 22. The last time two different Canes were announced weekly winners in a season was also in the spring of 2008, in Sundberg and Daniel Vallverdu.

Bastias, a Mendozo, Argentina, native kicked off his ACC career on the right foot, going a perfect 4-0 in singles and doubles action.

Competing alongside fellow classmate Franco Aubone at No. 3 doubles, the duo topped Georgia Tech’s Joseph Gandolfo and Chris Yun, as Miami went on to capture the advantageous doubles point.

Later in the afternoon, competing at No. 2 singles, Bastias dropped the opening set against Phillip Gresk, 2-6, before quickly rebounded in the second and third sets to secure the victory, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Two days later, Bastias again teamed up with Aubone, as the duo improved to 3-0 as a tandem this spring, defeating Clemson’s Teodor Giusca and Carlos Kelaidis, 6-4.

In singles action, the Mendoza, Argentina, native made quick work of his opponent Giusca, 6-1, 6-1, picking up the first of six singles point for Miami, while improving to 7-1 in career dual matches.

Bastias and the Hurricanes resume play Sunday at 5 p.m. to take part in Tennis Channel College Match Day against UCF in Orlando.

To keep up with the University of Miami men’s tennis team on social media, follow @CanesMensTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.