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NORMAN, Okla. — The nationally-ranked University of Iowa men’s tennis team had a successful day on Friday at the ITA Central Regional Championships at the Headington Family Tennis Center.
Iowa advanced two doubles teams to the quarterfinals with wins in tiebreakers today. Matt Clegg and Nikita Snezhko defeated second-seeded Mark Mandlick and Jake Van Emburgh of Oklahoma (8-7) on their home court. Will Davies and Oliver Okonkwo, who are the top seed and ranked No. 56 nationally, bounced Wichita State’s Elic Lago and Orel Ovil in a closely contested match, 8-7 (11).
In singles action, the Hawkeyes advanced five student-athletes through the Round of 64. Davies, seeded No. 14, downed Chris Dean of Nebraska in straight sets (6-2, 6-1). Okonkwo, seeded 16th, dropped Arkansas’ Hunter Harrison in convincing fashion, 6-2, 7-6(4). Clegg defeated the No. 31 seed from Wichita State, Stefan Latinovic, 2-6, 7-5, 7-6. Snezhko advanced via walkover against Dominik Kellovsky of Oklahoma State. No. 2 seed Kareem Allaf put the finishing touches on the day defeating Minnesota’s Bodin Zarkovic in straight sets (6-1, 6-4).
Jason Kerst, Morgan Lohan, and Joe Tyler dropped their respective singles matches.
QUOTING MELLECKER FAMILY HEAD COACH ROSS WILSON
“Clutch doubles play from both of our teams today to pull out tiebreakers. It was the best doubles I’ve seen from Nikita and Matt this season. I really liked the way Matt competed today. He was able to win two very close sets after losing the first set. He showed a lot of mental toughness to be down a set to come back and win, 7-5, 7-6.”
ITA MEN’S CENTRAL REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS
Headington Family Tennis Center | University of Oklahoma | Norman, Okla.
Doubles Round of 16
Davies/Okonkwo (UI) def. Lago/Ovil (WSU): 8-7(11)
Clegg/Snezhko (UI) def. Mandlick/Van Emburgh (OU): 8-7(5)
Singles Round of 64
Oliver Okonkwo (UI) def. Hunter Harrison (ARK): 6-2, 7-6(4)
Will Davies (UI) def. Chris Dean (NEB): 6-2, 6-1
Nikita Snezhko (UI) def. Dominik Kellovsky (OSU): Walkover
Matt Clegg (UI) def. Stefan Latinovic (WSU): 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(5)
Kareem Allaf (UI) def. Bodin Zarkovic (MINN): 6-1, 6-4
Vlad Lobak (MINN) def. Morgan Lohan (UI): 6-2, 6-1
Brady Draheim (OSU) def. Jason Kerst (UI): 6-2, 6-1
Matt Rodriguez (OU) def. Joe Tyler (UI): 6-4, 6-2
