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MTennis: Five Bulldogs advanced to the round of 32 in singles at the ITA Southeast Regional Championships

“I’m very proud of the way we fought today,” head coach Manuel Diaz said. “We had a great day in singles. I was really impressed with the way Ryan and Neils battled and played in doubles. Even though they were down two match points as well as two breaks, they never quit and still won their first match. Overall, I’m very proud of our heart today.”

In doubles play, Colby and Ratiu used an incredible comeback to win their first-round match. The Bulldogs saved double match points against Loris Pourroy and Youcef Rihane (FSU) to force a breaker and eventually took the match by an 8-7(5) score. The pair then won their sixth match of the year together with an 8-5 result, securing a spot in the doubles quarterfinals. 

Georgia had five of its six players in the singles main draw win their opening match and advance to the next round. Cyrus Mahjoob was the first Bulldog to earn a spot in the round of 32, notching his fifth win of the year with a 6-2, 6-2 result. Thomas Paulsell, the eighth seed in the field, followed Mahjoob, swiftly earning a straight-set win of his own against Simon Myslivec (FAU) in a 6-3, 6-1 decision.

Miguel Perez Peña split the first two sets against Azariah Rusher (FSU) when rain forced the match indoors. However, nine-seeded Perez Peña won his fourth three-set match of the year to move on, earning a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2 win.

The remainder of the day’s matches were played in the indoor facility. Ratiu continued his success in doubles to overcome Gabriele Brancatelli (GT) in three sets, taking the match by a 7-5, 0-6, 6-1 score. Colby also managed to finish the day without a loss after a straight-set victory over Thomas Pavlekovich-Smith (USF) in a 6-4, 6-2 decision.

Action at the ITA Southeast Regional Championships will continue on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 9 a.m. ET with the doubles draw quarterfinals. Two rounds of singles will follow which will begin not before 10:30 a.m. 

Singles Results – Day Two

Singles Main Draw – Round One

Cyrus Mahjoob (UGA) def. Aaron Williams (GSU) 6-2, 6-2

[8] Thomas Paulsell (UGA) def. Simon Myslivec (FAU) 6-3, 6-1

[9] Miguel Perez Peña (UGA) def. Azariah Rusher (FSU) 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2

Niels Ratiu (UGA) def. Gabriele Brancatelli (GT) 7-5, 0-6, 6-1

Yannik Rahman (Miami) def. Filipe Costa (UGA) 6-3, 2-6, 6-1

Ryan Colby (UGA) def. Thomas Pavlekovich-Smith (USF) 6-4, 6-2

Singles Consolation

Parker Jacques vs. Harry Michalowski (FGCU) 6-3, 1-0, susp.

Parker Mariencheck vs. CJ Smith (FGCU) 3-6, 2-0, susp.

Borys Zgola (UF) def. Davis Taylor (UGA) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles Results – Day Two

Doubles Main Draw – Round of 32

Ryan Colby/Niels Ratiu (UGA) def. Loris Pourroy/Youcef Rihane (FSU) 8-7(5)

Pol Del Castillo/Dimitris Paliouras (GSU) def. Filipe Costa/Miguel Perez Peña (UGA) 8-6 

Patrick Kotan/Bruno Vietri (UNF) def. Parker Jacques/Thomas Paulsell (UGA) 8-4

Doubles Main Draw – Round of 16

Ryan Colby/Niels Ratiu (UGA) def. Gabriele Datei/Baran Soyler (GSU) 8-5

Doubles Consolation

[4] Alex Bulte/Jamie Connel (FSU) def. Parker Jacques/Thomas Paulsell (UGA) 6-4

Francisco Llanes/Emilio Sanchez (UCF) def. Filipe Costa/Miguel Perez Peña (UGA) 6-4

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