Summer Championships start in style with many of the top-seeded players moving into the Round of 32

With fast starts, upsets, and humid temperatures – Day 1 of the 2020 Oracle ITA National Summer Championships featured plenty of excitement in College Station, Texas.

Here are the takeaways from the opening day of main draw action – a continuation from the top-seeded men & women preview from yesterday:

One Seeds:
Hady Still Has It: In the opening matches at George P. Mitchell Tennis Center, Hady Habib began his fight for the crown and prize money with an impressive straight-sets victory over Javier Rodriguez Sanchez. Hady took down in-state rival Javier 6-0, 6-1, and will go on to face Brayden Michna tomorrow at 8 am CT. 

The Wave Came Rushing In: Jessica Failla didn’t waste any time in an impressive victory over Saniya Singh. Jessica — who made the decision to return to Pepperdine after a disrupted season — defeated the junior player, 6-3, 6-1. Jessica moves into Sunday to face ITA Cup Champion, Berta Bonardi at 9:45 am CT.

Two Seeds:
Professional Moves: After his doubles loss on the ATP Tour in Acapulco, Austin Krajicek made sure to leave his mark on Saturday. The professional defeated Kyle Totorica of Reagan High School. While Austin doesn’t hold a UTR, the 30-year old holds a doubles ranking of 47 on the ATP Tour. He will move on to go head-to-head with Alexander Frusina tomorrow at 9:45 am CT.

Rolling Reami: Adriana Reami came to College Station to win. In straight sets, Reami took down Addison Guevara of TCU in identical scores, 6-2, 6-2. She will move on to Saturday and face off with Zoe Hammond at 11:30 am CT.

Three Seeds:
Fighting Illini Keep Fighting: Alex Brown — one of two Fighting Illini in the Oracle ITA National Summer Championships — breezed through straight sets to defeat junior player Michael Ross. After his 6-1, 6-2 victory, Alex will move into the Round of 32 to play Nevin Arimilli tomorrow at 8 am CT.

WTA Texan Takes The Win: Hanging on to victory to make her state proud, Rhiann Newborn claimed victory over the University of Central Oklahoma’s Isabella Dunlap. Pulling into the first set with low energy, Newborn soon found her approach. She took the match 4-6, 7-5, 1-0, and goes head-to-head with California-native junior player Kaia Wolfe tomorrow at 11:30 am CT.

Four Seeds:
Shubladze Claims Victory: In a tough first match, Vazha Shubladze defeated Rogelio Gonzalez 7-5, 6-4. The college tennis matchup started out tough; however, the Georgian eventually found his way on the court to earn his victory. Shubladze will move on to face Preston Steans tomorrow at 8 am CT.

Wolfpack Upset: Entering the tournament as a four seed, Anna Rogers was unable to gain momentum early on. Sierra Berry, who is currently uncommitted and holds a 9.76 UTR, claimed victory in a tiebreaker. Sierra entered the first set strong and never let off the gas, ultimately defeating Anna Rogers, 7-6, 6-4, 1-0(8). Sierra will move on to face Enya Ratkic tomorrow at 9:45 am CT

Five Seeds:
College vs. Junior: The second Fighting Illini in the tournament, Zeke Clark, set the cruise button on to claim victory over Adhvyte Sharma. In straight sets, Zeke didn’t let off the gas to win 6-3, 6-0. He will go on to face Zaiprakash Goli for an in-state college tennis match-up. Their first serve is slated for 8 am CT tomorrow. 

Krueger Captures Win: After splitting sets, the five-seed captures the win. Ashlyn Krueger has her eyes on the crown prize money, but she has to remain focused. Taking the first set, Ashlyn lost momentum and wasn’t able to hold on for the second. She won 7-6, 5-7, 1-0, and will move on to face top junior player Mika Ikemori tomorrow at 11:30 am CT.

Six Seeds:
Aggie Howdy: Noah Schachter made sure to claim his home-court advantage after a win over junior player Thomas Paulsell. The Aggie defeated Paulsell, 6-4, 6-3 to move into the Round of 32. Schachter will take on Angel Palacios tomorrow at 8 am CT.

Bullfighter Walks Away with Win: Solymar Colling brought the humidity and heat with her to College Station in a spectacular straight-set victory. Facing Elisabeth Jones, Colling waved her red cape in a 6-2, 6-3 win. Colling will face off with Lilly Woods tomorrow at 11:30 am CT. 

Seven Seeds:
Trying to Make A Comeback: Jonathan Sheehy didn’t waste any time getting back into the groove of things to fight for his title. Sheehy defeated Arkansas Razorback Hunter Harrison in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. The 2019 Oracle ITA National Summer Championships singles and doubles champion will move into Sunday to face Christopher Bulus for a college tennis matchup at 9:45 am CT.

Home Court Defeat: Tatiana Makarova couldn’t hold on for the Aggies on her home court. Coming into the tournament as a top seed, Tatiana wasn’t able to grasp the first set. After getting her rhythm back in the second set, she wasn’t able to hold on for the tiebreaker. Lizanne Boyer won 7-5, 3-6, 1-0, and will face Camryn Stepp tomorrow at 9:45 am CT.

Eight Seeds:
Keeping It In Texas: Ilgiz Valiev entered enemy territory on Saturday with a slow start in the first match against in-state rival Riley Odell. After finding his momentum, Valiev went on to defeat Odell 7-5, 6-4 to move on to the Round of 32. Valiev will face another in-state rival in Javier Gonzalez tomorrow at 8 am CT.

Junior To The Top: Five-star recruit from Tulsa, Oklahoma – Emma Staker – claims victory over Carolyn Ansari of Auburn University. Emma grabbed the win in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. She will move into the Sunday and face Leyden Games at 9:45 am CT. 


For more scores and the complete Round of 32 draws, visit myutr.com. Play at the 2020 Oracle ITA National Summer Championships powered by UTR will resume at 8:00 am CT tomorrow. All matches on courts 1 – 6 are available to view, for free, via PlaySight. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association, with assistance from Texas A&M University, continue to promote tennis as a safe and social-distancing sport. 

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