Manuel Advances to Semifinals at ITA Regionals

STILLWATER, Okla. – The Arkansas men’s tennis team continued play today at the ITA Central Region Championships with senior Melvin Manuel reaching the Semifinals of the singles draw.

Manuel started out his successful day in the Round of 16 of the singles main draw, facing senior teammate Alan Sau Franco. Manuel bested Sau Franco in straight sets, advancing to the Quarterfinals. Sau Franco ends the event with two singles victories, including his first win over an ITA ranked opponent this fall.

Manuel picked up his fourth win of the tournament against Alessio Basile (Oklahoma State), defeating him in straight sets and clinching his spot in the Semifinals. He is set to face No. 40 Tyler Zink (Oklahoma State) at noon tomorrow.

Junior Jake Sweeney’s impressive run in the main draw came to an end today after winning his his first three singles matches. Sweeney went up against top-seeded Tyler Zink (Oklahoma State), dropping the match 1-6, 2-6. For the tournament, Sweeney earned five total victories between singles and doubles play.

Sophomore Gerard Planelles Ripoll grabbed another win in the consolation draw, defeating Wichita State’s Richey King 6-3, 6-0. In his next match, Planelles Ripoll fell to Mykhailo Kvantaliani (Wichita State) in straight sets.

Freshman Connor Smillie and graduate Jared Horwood competed in Extra Matches on Friday for the Razorbacks. Smillie picked up another win over Avery Tallakson (New Mexico) after dropping the first set. Horwood fell to Hank Trondson (Oklahoma) in straight sets to end the event.

The Hogs had two doubles teams compete in the Quarterfinals of the main draw today. Sweeney and freshman Connor Smillie took the court against Tyler Zink/Isaac Becroft (Oklahoma State). The duo suffered a narrow defeat, falling 6-8, ending their run in the doubles draw.

The other Arkansas tandem of Sau Franco/Manuel faced off against Nebraska’s Nic Wiedenhorn/Anton Shepp. The Razorback duo dropped the match after another close battle, falling 7-8 (6) in the Quarterfinals.

Day Three Results
Singles Main Draw
R16: Manuel (Arkansas) def. Sau Franco (Arkansas), 6-3, 6-0
R16: Zink (Oklahoma State) def. Sweeney (Arkansas), 6-1, 6-2
QF: Manuel (Arkansas) def. Basile (Oklahoma State), 6-4, 6-3

Singles Consolation Draw
C-R32: Planelles Ripoll (Arkansas) def. King (Wichita State), 6-3, 6-0
C-R16: Kvantaliani (Wichita State) def. Planelles Ripoll (Arkansas), 6-4, 7-5

Singles Extra Matches
EX: Trondson (Oklahoma) def. Horwood (Arkansas), 6-3, 6-4
EX: Smillie (Arkansas) def. Tallakson (New Mexico), 5-7, 7-6 (8), 10-8

Doubles Main Draw
QF: Zink/Becroft (Oklahoma State) def. Sweeney/Smillie (Arkansas), 8-6
QF: Wiedenhorn/Shepp (Nebraska) def. Sau Franco/Manuel (Arkansas), 8-7 (6)