MALIBU, Calif.--- Junior Naoki Takeda led the way for Arizona on Friday, as he strung together consecutive straight-set victories to clinch a spot in the round of 32 on day one of ITA Regional Championship action.
Takeda easily defeated Loyola Marymount's Todd Volmari, 6-1, 6-2 in opening round action, before dismantling UC Santa Barbara's Luke Steeb, 6-2, 6-0 later in the day to bring his overall singles mark to 5-1 on the fall.
The Junior's fantastic day continued on into doubles play, as he teamed up with freshman Shoki Kasahara to blank Grand Canyon's Mathieu Ounanian and Gregoire Balenci 8-0, punching their ticket to the round of 32.
Junior Matt Dunn also got off to a good start, as he put together a convincing 6-1, 6-3 victory over San Diego State's Maxi Boewer-Stelter in opening round action, before falling No. 13 Mackenzie McDonald (UCLA), 6-1, 6-0 in his second match of the day.
Freshman David Mushayev posted an impressive performance in the round of 64, but dropped a heartbreaking three-set affair to San Diego State's Jonas Meinzer, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.
The Cats will get back after it tomorrow, as Takeda will look to stay alive in the singles portion of the event, while the Takeda/Kasahara tandem will try to advance in doubles play.
Arizona Results
SINGLES
Opening Round
Matt Dunn (Arizona) def. Maxi Boewer-Stelter (San Diego State) 6-1, 6-3
Naoki Takeda (Arizona) def. Todd Volmari (LMU) 6-2, 6-1
Sebastian Heim (UC Irvine) def. Shoki Kasahara (Arizona) 6-2, 6-2
Austin Rapp (UCLA) def. Jason Jaruvang (Arizona) 6-3, 6-7, 6-4
Luke Bohuslav (LMU) def. Romain Boudaroua (Arizona), walkover
Round of 64
#13 Mackenzie McDonald (UCLA) def. Matt Dunn (Arizona) 6-1, 6-0
Naoki Takeda (Arizona) def. Luke Steeb (UC Santa Barbara) 6-2, 6-0
Jonas Meinzer (San Diego State) def. David Mushayev (Arizona) 6-2, 1-6, 6-3
DOUBLES
Jonah Kral/Alexander Solonin (Pepperdine) def. Romain Boudaroua/David Mushayev (Arizona), walkover
Shoki Kasahara/Naoki Takeda (Arizona) def. Mathieu Ounanian/Gregoire Balenci (Grand Canyon) 8-0
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