From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics
The ninth-ranked Carnegie Mellon University men's tennis team
advanced to the semifinals of the University Athletic Association
(UAA) Championship with a 7-2 victory over the University of
Rochester Thursday, April 24 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs,
Florida. With the win, the Tartans improve to 16-5 overall
while the Yellowjackets move to 13-5.
Carnegie Mellon began the match taking two points in doubles play.
The first point came by way of an 8-2 victory at No. 1 doubles from
the tandem of juniors Christian Heaney-Secord (Westwood,
Mass./Westwood) and Will Duncan (Newbury Park,
Calif./Newbury Park). The Tartans picked up their second
point with an 8-4 win at No. 3 by sophomores Yuvraj
Kumar (New Delhi, India/Millfield School) and Joel
Lankford (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon). As the No. 3
doubles was finishing, Rochester made the score 2-1 with a victory
at No. 2 doubles heading into singles play.
The Tartans recorded the first four points in singles to clinch the
victory. First, freshman Kiril Kirkov (Tampa,
Fla./C. Leon King) won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0 in the No. 4 spot
before sophomore Abhishek Alla (Hyderabad,
India/IMG Pendleton School) won 6-0, 6-4 at No. 1 to make the score
4-1.
Moments after Alla's victory, Duncan sealed the Tartans' victory
winning in straight sets as well, 6-4, 6-3 at No. 3. Carnegie
Mellon then earned points at No. 5 and No. 6 singles,
respectively. Kumar won 6-3, 6-0 at No. 5 while
junior Bryce Beisswanger (Los Angeles, Calif./Viewpoint
School) won 4-6 6-1 1-0(2) at No. 6.