University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
ITA D'Novo All-American Championships
Smith Marches on in Consolation
October 08, 2010 | Men's Tennis
Oct. 8, 2010
Senior John-Patrick Smith lost his bid to defend his title at the ITA All-American Championships in the first round, but he was the lone Vol to survive competition Friday in Tulsa, Okla.
Smith, who was upset to start the tournament Thursday, reached the consolation quarterfinals with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Georgia newcomer Sadio Doumbia. Smith and sophomore Rhyne Williams later fell in the doubles draw.
Smith faces Ohio State's Matt Allare in the quarterfinals.
Williams and senior Matteo Fago, fresh off top-10 upset victories Thursday, could not repeat the feat in the singles round of 16.
Fago fell 6-2, 6-2 to 10th-seeded Austen Childs of Louisville, an NCAA singles finalist last season. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable tournament run for Fago. He played through qualifying and finished his time at the All-American with a 5-1 record, including three ranked victories.
Williams lost in a three-set battle to Florida's ninth-seeded Alexandre Lacroix. The Knoxville native won the first set, but dropped the second and third sets in tiebreakers, eventually falling 3-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7).
In doubles, Smith and Williams lost 8-4 to Lacroix and Gator teammate Nassim Slilam.
Climbing the Charts
With the victory over Doumbia, Smith tied UT great and noted professional coach Paul Annacone (1982-84) for fifth on the career singles win list with 115. Mark Parsons (1997-2001) is fourth with 120 career wins.
Smith has a 5-2 record this season.
ITA All-American Championships
Main Draw Singles
Friday's Results
Round of 16
(9) Alexandre Lacroix, Florida, def. Rhyne Williams, UT, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7)
(10) Austen Childs, Louisville, def. Matteo Fago, UT, 6-2, 6-2
Consolation Singles
Friday's Results
Round of 16
John-Patrick Smith, UT, def. Sadio Doumbia, Georgia, 7-5, 6-1
Saturday's Schedule
Quarterfinal
John-Patrick Smith, UT, vs. Matt Allare, Ohio State
Main Draw Doubles Friday's Schedule Round of 16 Alexandre Lacroix/Nassim Slilam, Florida, def. John-Patrick Smith/Rhyne Williams, 8-4
Players Mentioned
