John-Patrick Smith won in straight sets as the NCAA Singles and Doubles Tournament got underway in College Station, Texas.
The sixth-seeded Smith, who was runner-up as a freshman in 2008, dispatched Jean-Yves Aubone of Florida State, 6-3, 6-1.
“I knew it was going to be a tough match,” said Smith. “Jean-Yves (Aubone) is ranked 20th, so he just missed out of being seeded. The last time we played, it was 7-6 in the third set and I got up. He is a junior now and has been ranked in the top 10 this season. I know it’s always going to be a grind when we play each other.”
Smith faces No. 32 Clay Donato today in the round of 32.
Meanwhile, 86th-ranked Damon Gooch of Elon upset No. 37 Boris Conkic of UT, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Tied 3-3 in both the second and third sets, Conkic broke Gooch’s serve to take a 4-3 lead, only to see Gooch break his serve twice in the final three games to win each time.
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Comments » 2
BillVol writes:
What is wrong with American tennis??? Where are all the players, both in college and in the pros???
TrouserCough writes:
College tennis is 90% foreign players. Even small schools. Syracuse was going to try to field an all american team.
Go J.P.!
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