University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Wake Forest Spring Invitational
Yllera Wins Debut in Three Sets
January 11, 2013 | Men's Tennis
Jan. 11, 2013
SINGLES DRAW
| DOUBLES DRAW
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- It took some effort, but freshman newcomer Sebastian Yllera won his debut matches for the Vols on Friday to start the Wake Forest Spring Invitational.
Yllera, a January addition to the UT tennis squad, found himself in a hard-fought opening match but rallied in the final sets to beat Liberty's Shea Thomas 6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-6 (5).
In doubles, Yllera teamed up with sophomore Hunter Reese and rolled to an 8-3 win against Liberty's Thomas and Egon Samaii.
For Reese, Friday was a solid day back to competition.
Reese had his fall season cut short by injury but wasted no time in his return to the courts, celebrating his birthday by advancing in both draws. As the top seed in singles, Reese defeated William & Mary's Ben Hoogland 6-1, 6-1 to advance.
Senior Taylor Patrick also won in straight sets, beating Columbia's Max Schnur 6-2, 7-5. Patrick is only one win away from his season-best of 13 as a sophomore.
Patrick teamed up with Wake Forest's Jaya Billa. They lost to top-seeded Amogh Prabhakar and David Hopkins in a close one, 8-6.
Competition continues Saturday with a round of singles and doubles. The Vols are set to play Wake Forest in all the matches, including Patrick squaring off against third-seeded Hopkins.
Wake Forest Spring Invitational
Friday's Results
Singles
Hunter Reese (1), UT, def. Ben Hoogland, William & Mary, 6-1, 6-1
Taylor Patrick, UT, def. Max Schnur, Columbia, 6-2, 7-5
Sebastian Yllera, UT, def. Shea Thomas, Liberty, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-6 (5)
Doubles
Reese/Yllera (2), UT, def. Egon Samaii/Shea Thomas, Liberty, 8-3
Saturday's Matches
Singles
Reese (1), UT, vs. Anthony Delcore, Wake Forest
Patrick, UT, vs. David Hopkins (3), Wake Forest
Yllera, UT, vs. Jon Ho, Wake Forest
Doubles
Reese/Yllera (2), UT, vs. Mays/Delcore, Wake Forest
