TULSA, Okla.—University of Hawai'i men's tennis player
Andre Ilagan continued his prolific run through the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On Friday, Ilagan knocked off a pair of ranked players--including a come from behind rally in the quarterfinals to propel himself into Saturday's semifinals. Ilagan has now defeated six ranked players during his prolific run this week.
Ilagan started the day against 65th-ranked Cannon Kingsley of Ohio State in a Round of 16 match. Ilagan blitzed Kingsley to win in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.
In the quarterfinals match against 110th-ranked Alex Kotzen of Columbia, Ilagan dropped the first set (just the second set loss during the tournament), but fought back to take the next two, coasting to a 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 win to punch his ticket into Saturday's semifinals. Ilagan has now defeated eight ranked players in his career.
"Andre showed a lot of determination today against two of the best college players in the country," said UH head coach Joël Kusnierz. "He continues to grow into a better competitor every day, and matches like these give him the confidence that he can defeat anyone. I am very proud of him."
Ilagan is the only Rainbow Warrior to ever win a match in the All-American main draw. He is just the fourth UH player to play in the main draw and the first since 2010, when Dennis Lajola qualified for the Main Draw.
Next up, Ilagan will face 28th-ranked August Holmgren of San Diego on Saturday, Oct. 9.
Ilagan's Qualifying - Results
Monday, Oct. 4, 2021
- def. #59 Josh Goodger (Florida) 6-1, 6-4
Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021
Round of 256 - def. Jacob Brumm (Baylor), 6-4, 6-2
Round of 128 - def. #109 Stijn Slump (MIddle Tennessee), 6-2. 5-7. 6-0
Main Draw Results
Wenesday, Oct. 6, 2021
Round of 64 - def. #26 Marcus McDaniel (Georgia Tech), 6-3, 6-0
Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021
Round of 32 - def. #18 Juan Carlos Aguilar (TCU), 6-2, 6-2
Friday, Oct. 8, 2021
Round of 16 - def. #65 Cannon Kingsley (Ohio State), 6-4, 6-2
Round of 8 (Quarterfinals) - def. #110 Alex Kotzen (Columbia), 1-6, 6-1, 6-2
Semifinal match - Saturday Oct. 9 (time TBD)
Semifinal 2 -
Andre Ilagan (UH) vs. #28 August Holmgren (USD)
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