Oct. 20, 2012
New Haven, Conn. -
The Fordham University men's tennis team opened play at the 2012 ITA Northeast Regional Tournament today at Yale University where the Rams recorded their first ever singles and doubles win.
The singles wins were picked up by Srikar Alla and Emilio Mora while Mora also teamed with Mischa Koran for a doubles win.
"It was a pretty good day for our program as we got the first ever doubles and singles wins at the ITA Regional," said head coach Cory Hubbard. "But more importantly, our guys played with a lot of energy and are making a statement in the region. Mischa has been injured and hasn't had much practice, but had a very good match in singles. He and Emilio are really clicking in doubles, and tomorrow will be a big opportunity for them against a good team from Brown."
In singles play, Alla defeated Erik Kramheller of Fairfield, 6-3, 6-4, and Mora came out victorious over Brown's Danny Hirshberg, 6-2, 7-6 (8).
"Srikar played solid and well enough to win," continued Hubbard. "I think he can play a lot better, now that he has adjusted to the courts and has a real chance to beat a top 16 seed tomorrow. I think he is ready for a breakthrough win, and I am looking forward to his match up tomorrow."
In other singles action, Koran fell to Ismael Lahlou from Penn, dropping the first set, 7-5, before winning the second, 6-2. But Lahlou came back to win the third set, 6-4.
In doubles play, Mora and Koran defeated Freddy Marcinkowski and Ramy Bekhiet from Monmouth, 8-4, while Alla and Kuba Kowalski fell to Penn's Nikola Kovocovic and Austin Kaplan, 8-6.
"Emilio had the best win of the day, beating one of Brown's top six guys," said Hubbard. He continues to improve and is getting back to playing his aggressive style of tennis that made him one of the top juniors in the East. He has come back motivated to prove himself, and has a big match tomorrow against one of the top seeds from Dartmouth. Emilio is playing very confident, and tomorrow is a great opportunity for him in singles and doubles to advance."
The tournament will continue on Saturday as three Fordham players will participate in the singles draw and Koran and Mora will compete in doubles. Kowalski, a seeded player as a 17-32 seed, will play in the second round of the Sixth Eighth Draw against Will Reznik from Marist. Kowalski earned the seed after finishing last season ranked 19th in the Northeast Region and posting a 21-9 singles record.
In other singles action on Saturday, Alla will face Jeremy Court of Penn in the second round of the Third Eighth and Mora will take on Dartmouth's Cameron Ghorbani in in the second round of the Seventh Eight.
In doubles play, Mora and Koran will play in the second round of the First Quarter.
"It's great to have three guys still in singles and a team in the doubles advancing to the second day. I am excited to see how we match up against some of the top team and players in the region tomorrow."
