CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The LSU doubles team of Danny Bryan and Colt Gaston won its second and third-round matches today in the ITA Championship pre-qualifying round, leaving the two as the only remaining players for the Tigers in the round.
The pair won over Brett Binkley and Eigintas Vedrickas of Marquette easily in the second round of doubles play by a score of 8-2. The third-round win did not come as easily, as it went to a 9-8(2) decision. Bryan and Gaston won that decision to take the match from Santa Clara’s Taylor Bedilion and Jan Macek.
Mark Growcott, the only singles player remaining today, was defeated in his third-round match by Middle Tennessee’s Marco Born in two sets, 6-4, 7-5.
While none of the Tigers in the pre-qualifying singles tournament were able to advance, three other team members have already earned spots. Ken Skupski, Peter Richman and Jason Hazley, ranked at 18th, 87th and 107th, respectively, will take their shot at the title later in the week.
Play in the doubles pre-qualifiers continues tomorrow as Bryan and Gaston will battle Christian Groh and Benedikt Stronk of San Diego State University for a spot in the qualifying round.
ITA CHAMPIONSHIPS PRE-QUALIFYING ROUND
DAY TWO RESULTS
Singles
Third round:
Marco Born (M.Tenn.) def. Mark Growcott (LSU), 6-4, 7-5
Doubles
Second round:
Bryan/Gaston (LSU) def. Binkley/Vedrickas (Marquette), 8-2
Third round:
Bryan/Gaston (LSU) def. Bedilion/Macek (Santa Clara), 9-8(2)