MALIBU, Calif. – The Wildcats all battled until the end, but unfortunately fell short on the third day of the ITA Southwest Regional Championships at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. on Saturday.
“All in all it was a positive tournament for us,” said head coach Tad Berkowitz. “We had some solid results but also have a great understanding of things to work on to make us better.”
Senior Naoki Takeda was up first for the Cats in singles play. After a first-round bye and strong performances in his first two matches, Takeda earned himself a spot in Saturday's round of 16 action against Jordan Angus from San Diego. Takeda fought hard in the first set, but eventually fell 6-3. Angus was playing at the top of his game and proved to be too much for Takeda as he took the second set 6-0. Angus won the match by a final score of 6-3, 6-0 and will move on to the quarterfinals.
Also still competing in the singles round of 16 for Arizona was Harry Busby who faced Martin Redelicki from UCLA. Busby put up a good fight, but Redelicki was able to over power Busby in a 6-3, 6-3 straight-set victory to advance to the quarterfinals. Both Takeda and Busby finished the tournament with 2-1 records in singles play.
After falling the in round of 32, Jason Jaruvang participated in an extra match against Joat Farah from Loyal Marymount. Farah claimed the first set over Jaruvang in a tight 6-4 win, and was able to use that momentum to take the second set 6-2 to win the match by a final score of 6-4, 6-2.
The lone doubles pair for the Wildcats, Naoki Takeda and Trent Botha, gave it their all, but were unable to defeat Petr Lamachkine and Lautaro Pane from Pepperdine. After winning both of their first two matches 8-6, the tandem fell short in the quarterfinals, as Lamachkine and Lautaro took the match 8-4. Takeda and Botha finished the tournament with a 2-1 record in doubles play.
The Wildcats now look ahead to the Larry Easley Memorial Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. The even will begin on Oct. 30 and run through Nov. 1.
Day Three Results
Singles Round of 16
Jordan Angus (San Diego) def. Naoki Takeda (UofA) 6-3, 6-0
Martin Redilcki (UCLA) def. Harry Busby (UofA) 6-3, 6-3
Extra Match
Joat Farah (LMU) def. Jason Jaruvang (UofA) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles Quarterfinals
Petr Lamachkine and Lautaro Pane (PEPP) def Botha and Takeda (UofA) 8-4
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