TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – After fighting through the qualifying singles finals, LSU men’s tennis freshman Boris Kozlov and sophomore transfer Joey Thomas earned spots in the main draw on Day 2 of the ITA Southern Regional at the Alabama Tennis Stadium.
Thoughts from Co-Head Coach Andy Brandi
“Joey and Boris did a great job today,” co-head coach Andy Brandi said. “Joey had a little more comfortable win while Boris battled to a great finish coming back from 3-5 in the third to win 7-5. Tomorrow, we expect tough matches all the way around.”
Qualifying Singles Finals
With a straight-set, 6-4, 6-4 win against Jacksonville State’s Guillermo Agost, Joey Thomas worked his way into the main draw.
Kozlov fought hard in his second singles match of qualifying to earn his spot in the main draw singles competition. After dropping the first set 4-6, the freshman forced a third set with a solid 6-3 win in the second set. He worked a gritty three-set match, coming back from two points down in the third set to secure the match at 7-5 against UL-Lafayette’s Jan Galka.
Next Up
Kozlov and Thomas will join No. 3 seed Monroe, Bhatnagar and Wagner in the singles round of 32 beginning at 1 p.m. CST Saturday.
The Tigers will start the day with two rounds of doubles competition beginning at 9 a.m. CST Saturday. Thomas and Rafael Wagner are the No. 8 seed in the competition and will face off against Tulane’s Tim Ruetzel and Eric Wagner. Shane Monroe and Agie Moreno will get their regional play started against UAB’s Gionvani Pasini and Fernando Vargas.
Tiger freshmen Kozlov and Nick Watson will square off against Sergio Lizarrage and Joaquin Vallego of Jacksonville State, and Malik Bhatnagar and Ruy Teixeira will play against Luis Erlenbusch and Dane Esses of Tulane.
Competition in the ITA Southern Regional continues through Tuesday, October 23.
Fans can stream the main six courts online at: lsul.su/2yk4gCw.
For up-to-date information and behind-the-scenes access on the Tigers, fans can follow the LSU men’s tennis team on Twitter and Instagram at @lsutennis and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lsutennis.
ITA Southern Regional Championships
October 18-23, 2018 • Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Alabama Tennis Stadium)
October 19, 2018
Qualifying Finals
Boris Kozlov (LSU) def. Jan Galka (Louisiana-Lafayette), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
Joey Thomas (LSU) def. Guillermo Agost (Jacksonville State), 6-4, 6-4
October 20, 2018
Main Draw Singles Round of 32
Malik Bhatnagar (LSU) vs. Edison Ortiz (Alabama), 1 p.m. CST
Joey Thomas (LSU) vs. Ewan Moore (Tulane), 1 p.m. CST
Shane Monroe (LSU) vs. Samuel Serrano (South Alabama), 1 p.m. CST
Rafael Wagner (LSU) vs. Riccardo Roberto (Alabama), 2:30 p.m. CST
Boris Kozlov (LSU) vs. Tim Sandkaulen (Ole Miss), 2:30 p.m. CST
Doubles Second Round
Shane Monroe/Agie Moreno (LSU) vs. Giovani Pasini/Fernando Vargas (UAB), 9 a.m. CST
Joey Thomas/Rafael Wagner (LSU) vs. Tim Ruetzel/Eric Wagner (Tulane), following 9 a.m. CST matches
Boris Kozlov/Nick Watson (LSU) vs. Sergio Lizarrage/Joaquin Vallego (Jacksonville State), following 9 a.m. CST matches
Malik Bhatnagar/Ruy Teixeira (LSU) vs. Luis Erlenbusch/Dane Esses (Tulane), following 10 a.m. CST matches