University of Memphis Athletics
Saturday, May 8
Knoxville, Tenn. / Barksdale Stadium
9 a.m.
University of Memphis
4
vs
2
Georgia Tech
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Tigers defeat Georgia Tech in NCAA Tournament opener
May 08, 2021 | Men's Tennis
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 38th-ranked Memphis Tigers earned their first NCAA Tournament win since 2014 with a 4-2 victory over 30th-ranked Georgia Tech in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championship Saturday morning in Knoxville, Tenn.
The Tigers (10-8) will now face national No. 3 seed Tennessee (25-3) in the second round Sunday at noon CT. The winner advances to the Round of 16 in Orlando, Fla., on May 17. Memphis is playing in its seventh NCAA Tournament in the last nine seasons.
"I'm super happy for the guys and our program," Tigers head coach Paul Goebel said. "We came out ready to play on every court in doubles, and it was great to get that first point. Our guys handled some adversity in singles and kept competing hard throughout. Jan Pallares showed some great senior leadership today, and it was a fun match to be a part of. We can't wait to compete again tomorrow."
The Tigers picked up the doubles point to start off the match. No. 18 Oscar Cutting/David Stevenson won a contest against No. 19 Marcus McDaniel/Andres Martin of Georgia Tech, 6-2, and the Tigers' James Story/Jeremy Taylor defeated Brandon Freestone/Brandon McKinney, 6-3.
Two ranked matchups went Georgia Tech's way at the start of singles competition to give the Yellow Jackets (13-10) a 2-1 advantage. No. 28 Marcus McDaniel topped No. 58 James Story, 6-3, 6-2, and No. 46 Andres Martin bettered No. 102 David Stevenson, 7-6 (8-6), 6-2.
After that, the Tigers won three-straight courts in straight sets to earn the match victory. Pallares won on court four, 6-4, 7-5, Oscar Cutting followed with a court three win, 6-4, 6-4, and Pau Fanlo took the final point on court six, 6-4, 6-4.
Tennessee defeated Alabama A&M in the other first round matchup at Barksdale Stadium to set up Sunday's pairing.
For more information on the NCAA Tournament, visit www.NCAA.com.
Results
Singles
1. #28 Marcus McDaniel (GT) def. #58 James Story (MEM) 6-3, 6-2
2. #46 Andres Martin (GT) def. #102 David Stevenson (MEM) 7-6 (8-6), 6-2
3. Oscar Cutting (MEM) def. Keshav Chopra (GT) 6-4, 6-4
4. Jan Pallares (MEM) def. Brandon McKinney (GT) 6-4, 7-5
5. Chen Dong (GT) vs. Jeremy Taylor (MEM) 4-6, 6-1, 1-2, unfinished
6. Pau Fanlo (MEM) def. Brandon Freestone (GT) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
1. #18 Oscar Cutting/David Stevenson (MEM) def. #19 Marcus McDaniel/Andres Martin (GT) 6-2
2. Keshav Chopra/Chen Dong (GT) vs. Jan Pallares/Patrick Sydow (MEM) 4-3, unfinished
3. James Story/Jeremy Taylor (MEM) def. Brandon Freestone/Brandon McKinney (GT) 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (1,2,4,3,6)
The Tigers (10-8) will now face national No. 3 seed Tennessee (25-3) in the second round Sunday at noon CT. The winner advances to the Round of 16 in Orlando, Fla., on May 17. Memphis is playing in its seventh NCAA Tournament in the last nine seasons.
"I'm super happy for the guys and our program," Tigers head coach Paul Goebel said. "We came out ready to play on every court in doubles, and it was great to get that first point. Our guys handled some adversity in singles and kept competing hard throughout. Jan Pallares showed some great senior leadership today, and it was a fun match to be a part of. We can't wait to compete again tomorrow."
The Tigers picked up the doubles point to start off the match. No. 18 Oscar Cutting/David Stevenson won a contest against No. 19 Marcus McDaniel/Andres Martin of Georgia Tech, 6-2, and the Tigers' James Story/Jeremy Taylor defeated Brandon Freestone/Brandon McKinney, 6-3.
Two ranked matchups went Georgia Tech's way at the start of singles competition to give the Yellow Jackets (13-10) a 2-1 advantage. No. 28 Marcus McDaniel topped No. 58 James Story, 6-3, 6-2, and No. 46 Andres Martin bettered No. 102 David Stevenson, 7-6 (8-6), 6-2.
After that, the Tigers won three-straight courts in straight sets to earn the match victory. Pallares won on court four, 6-4, 7-5, Oscar Cutting followed with a court three win, 6-4, 6-4, and Pau Fanlo took the final point on court six, 6-4, 6-4.
Tennessee defeated Alabama A&M in the other first round matchup at Barksdale Stadium to set up Sunday's pairing.
For more information on the NCAA Tournament, visit www.NCAA.com.
Results
Singles
1. #28 Marcus McDaniel (GT) def. #58 James Story (MEM) 6-3, 6-2
2. #46 Andres Martin (GT) def. #102 David Stevenson (MEM) 7-6 (8-6), 6-2
3. Oscar Cutting (MEM) def. Keshav Chopra (GT) 6-4, 6-4
4. Jan Pallares (MEM) def. Brandon McKinney (GT) 6-4, 7-5
5. Chen Dong (GT) vs. Jeremy Taylor (MEM) 4-6, 6-1, 1-2, unfinished
6. Pau Fanlo (MEM) def. Brandon Freestone (GT) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
1. #18 Oscar Cutting/David Stevenson (MEM) def. #19 Marcus McDaniel/Andres Martin (GT) 6-2
2. Keshav Chopra/Chen Dong (GT) vs. Jan Pallares/Patrick Sydow (MEM) 4-3, unfinished
3. James Story/Jeremy Taylor (MEM) def. Brandon Freestone/Brandon McKinney (GT) 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (1,2,4,3,6)
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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