#VFL J.P. Smith Collects Champaign Challenger Doubles Title

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Former Tennessee men's tennis standout and eight-time NCAA All-American John-Patrick Smith (2008-11) wrapped up the 2018 ATP slate with a doubles title at the JSM Challenger of Champaign this past weekend at the Atkins Tennis Center. The VFL from Townsville, Australia went 4-0 through the 16-team bracket alongside compatriot Matt Reid.

The Australian duo won three consecutive matches in straight sets, beginning with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over the top-200 pair of Ruan Roelofse (No. 168)/Sem Verbeek (No. 158) in the opening round. Smith/Reid topped Americans Jared Hiltzik/Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-3, 6-1 in the quarterfinals before dispatching the Canadian duo of Peter Polansky/Adil Shamasdin 6-4, 6-2 in the semis.

In the event's doubles final, Smith/Reid defeated Hans Hach Verdugo/Luis David Martinez in a third-set tiebreaker, edging the match by a score of 6-4, 4-6, 10-8. With the win, Smith captured his fourth doubles title of the year and third at the Challenger level.

Smith still stands as Tennessee's all-time leader with 298 combined wins in four years with the Vols. He is one of two players in the history of college tennis to be named an All-American in singles and doubles all four years and was voted SEC Athlete of the Year in 2011.

For the most up-to-date information on the Tennessee men's tennis program, follow @Vol_Tennis on Twitter.

JSM Challenger of Champaign
Doubles
John-Patrick Smith/Matt Reid def. Ruan Roelofse/Sem Verbeek, 6-2, 7-5
Smith/Reid def. Jared Hiltzik/Aleksandar Kovacevic, 6-3, 6-1
Smith/Reid def. Peter Polansky/Adil Shamasdin, 6-4, 6-2
Smith/Reid def. Hans Hach Verdugo/Luis David Martinez, 6-4, 4-6, 10-8

University of Tennessee Athletics

#VFL J.P. Smith Collects Champaign Challenger Doubles Title

Related Videos