TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Auburn concluded play at the ITA South Sectional Championships on Saturday at the Scott Speicher Tennis Center in Tallahassee, Florida. Junior Billy Blaydes and freshman Alex Frusina each earned a spot in the singles portion of the championship.
In the first round, Blaydes dropped the opening set to Nate Bonetto of Georgia Tech, then came back from losing 5-0 in the second set to force a third set. Bonetto ultimately prevailed in the tight match 6-1, 5-7, 6-1. In the consolation bracket, Blaydes received a walkover win over UCF’s Santiago Giamichelle before losing on Saturday to bow out of the event.
Frusina took LSU’s Julien Penzlin to a first set tiebreaker, but dropped the match 7-6 (2), 6-3. The freshman then lost in the first round of consolations on Friday.
Up next, Blaydes and Will Nolan will compete for the NCAA Doubles Championship crown at the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas. The duo earned a spot in the championship field after winning the ITA Southern Regionals doubles title last month. The NCAA Singles & Doubles Championship will take place Nov. 19-24.
Thursday Results:
Nate Bonetto (GT) def. Billy Blaydes (AUB) 6-1, 5-7, 6-1
Julien Penzlin (LSU) def. Alex Frusina (AUB) 7-6 (2), 6-3
Friday Results:
Billy Blaydes (AUB) def. Santiago Giamichelle (UCF) WO
Ryan Colby (UGA) def. Alex Frusina 7-6 (5), 6-3
Saturday Results:
Danil Panarin (VAN) def. Billy Blaydes 6-2, 6-3