BATON ROUGE – Senior tennis player Chris Simpson helped the Tigers overcome a slow start on Monday as qualifying play opened at the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Simpson defeated Richmond senior Ethan Dunbar in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, to advance to the second round of the qualifying bracket.
The Tigers also notched two victories in consolation play as sophomore Jordan Daigle fought his way to a three-set, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Boise State junior Thomas Tenreiro and junior Tam Trinh beat Cal sophomore Filip Bergevi by a score of 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
Despite only one player advancing, head coach Jeff Brown was pleased with the effort in Tulsa on Monday.
“After a tough start to the day, it ended well,” said Brown. “We are happy to see Chris advance and Jordan and Tam were able to pick up wins. We have Chris and doubles play on tap for tomorrow.”
Simpson will continue qualifying play for the Tigers at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the Case Tennis Center in Tulsa.
2014 ITA All-American Championships
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sept. 27 – Oct. 6
Qualifying Singles
Tin Ostojic (WSU) def. Jordan Daigle (LSU), 6-2, 7-5
Chris Diaz (OSU) def. Tam Trinh (LSU), 6-3, 6-1
Benjamin Lock (FSU) def. Eric Perez (LSU), 6-2, 6-0
Bernardo Saraiva (SFU) def. Justin Butsch (LSU), 6-2, 6-3
Chris Simpson (LSU) def. Ethan Dunbar (Fresno), 6-4, 6-3
Qualifying Singles Consolation
Jordan Daigle (LSU) def. Thomas Tenreiro (Boise), 6-3, 5-7, 6-3
Strong Kirchheimer (NWU) def. Tam Justin Butsch (LSU), 6-2, 6-3
Tam Trinh (LSU) def. Filip Bergevi (Cal), 6-3, 5-7, 6-3