Men's Tennis Concludes Play at USTA 15K Fayetteville Futures

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas men’s tennis team finished their first event of the fall today at the ITF 15K Fayetteville as part of the USTA Futures. All eight members of the squad competed in the tournament with Lukas Palovic advancing to the second of the singles main draw while Connor Smille and Jakub Vrba reached the quarterfinals of the doubles main draw.

Four Razorbacks automatically qualified for the singles main draw, including Božo Barun, Benni Emesz, Palovic and Vrba. Palovic faced off against Vrba in the Round of 32 with Palovic advancing after a 6-2, 6-0 win. In the Round of 16, Palovic fell to Christopher Bulus in straight sets while Barun and Emesz both fell in their opening round matches.

The other four Hogs began the tournament in the singles qualifying draw, with Smillie qualifying for the main draw after two victories over Kabeer Kapasi and Daniel Pero. Smillie then dropped his Round of 32 match to David Saye, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6.

Arthur Bellegy bested Adam Lynch in the first round before falling in the next round to Jerry Roddick in three sets. However, Bellegy advanced to the main draw as a lucky loser, but dropped his Round of 32 match to Jagger Leach in straight sets.

Brendan Boland fell in his opening round match to Saye while Marino Jakic withdrew from the event before the start of his match on Monday.

Arkansas had three doubles teams featured in the main draw as Smillie competed with Vrba and reached the quarterfinals after a straight-set win against Frusina/Kapasi in the Round of 16. Smillie/Vrba dropped their next match to Perez/Vance in straight sets, ending their run at the tournament. 

Barun and Boland fell 3-6, 3-6 in the first round against Perez/Vance, while Emesz/Palovic dropped their first match to Lieberman/Vasser, 3-6, 3-6.

The Razorbacks will send four members of the team to Tulsa, Okla., this weekend for the start of the ITA All-American Championships. Barun is slated to start the tournament in the prequalifying singles draw while also competing with Smillie in the prequalifying doubles draw. Emesz and Vrba will team up to join the other doubles tandem in the prequalifying draw. The ITA All-American Championships will take place from Saturday, Sept. 21 to Sunday, Sept. 29.