AUSTIN, Texas – After sweeping through the first three rounds of singles play, freshman Nick Watson has advanced to the singles finals in the Longhorn Invitational at the Texas Tennis Center Saturday.
“We had a tough start Friday,” co-head coach Chris Brandi said. “We started slow across the board, and Joey (Thomas) had to retire due to injury, which was unfortunate. Today was much better. Nick (Watson) played maybe his best singles match as a Tiger to get to the final of his bracket. Ruy (Teixeira) won a tough three setter, which will give him some confidence.”
LSU faced a tough test Friday morning, falling in each of the doubles quarterfinals matches.
However, in singles action, Baton Rouge native Watson provided a spark for the Tigers, quickly sweeping past Louisville’s Juan Paredes, 6-2, 6-0 in the round of 16.
He then worked a three-setter against Karl Mosterd of Tyler Junior College. After falling in the first set, 2-6, Watson worked to take the second set in a convincing, 6-3, fashion. He, then, grabbed the final set to move into the semifinals with a 10-5 win.
Saturday, Watson picked up right where he left off Friday and worked a quick 6-1, 6-4 win against Texas Tech’s Matheus Ferreira Leite to advance to Sunday’s finals.
Watson will compete against Texas Tech’s Jackson Cobb at 9:15 a.m. CST.
In a side singles match Saturday, Ruy Teixeira defeated Marquette’s Alvaro Verdu, 7-6, 3-6, 6-1 to rebound after his matches earlier in the weekend.
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.
Longhorn Invitational
November 9-11, 2018 • Austin, Texas (Texas Tennis Center)
November 9, 2018
Doubles Flight B Gold Quarterfinals
Manoel Alencar/Alan Rubio (UCF) def. Joey Thomas/Nick Watson, 8-6
Doubles Flight C Gold Quarterfinals
Dane Dunlap/Stephen Madonia (Miami) def. Ruy Teixeira (LSU)/Johnny Goodwin (Texas), 8-6
Singles Flight A Gold Round of 16
Tim Dollman (Auburn) def. Joey Thomas (LSU), 6-2, ret.
Singles Flight C Gold Round of 16
Luis Diaz Argente (St. Edward’s) def. Ruy Teixeira (LSU), 6-4, 6-4
Singles Flight D Gold Round of 16
Nick Watson (LSU) def. Juan Paredes (Louisville), 6-2, 6-0
Singles Flight D Quarterfinals
Nick Watson (LSU) def. Karl Mosterd (Tyler Junior College), 2-6, 6-3, 10-5
November 10, 2018
Doubles Flight B Red Semifinals
Joey Thomas/Nick Watson def. Sander Jong/Bertus Kruger (TCU), default.
Doubles Flight B Red Finals
Nicaise Muamba/Chase Burton (Liberty) def. Joey Thomas/Nick Watson (LSU), 8-7(4)
Doubles Flight C Red Semifinals
Joe Tyler/Oliver Okobnkwo (Iowa) def. Ruy Teixeira (LSU)/Johnny Goodwin (Texas), 8-2
Singles Flight D Semifinals
Nick Watson (LSU) def. Matheus Ferreira Leite (Texas Tech), 6-1, 6-4
Side Singles
Ruy Teixeira (LSU) def. Alvaro Verdu (Marquette), 7-6, 3-6, 6-1
November 11, 2018
Singles Flight D Finals
Nick Watson (LSU) vs. Jackson Cobb (Texas Tech), 9:15 a.m. CST