Gamecocks Complete First Day of Main Draw at ITA All-American Championships

Oct. 6, 2016

TULSA, Okla. — The Gamecocks wrapped up their first day of main draw action at the Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships on Thursday. Gabriel Friedrich fell in the first round of singles, while he and Harrison O’Keefe lost a tight, three-set match in doubles.

“Our guys competed really well out there and they have nothing to hang their heads about,” said assistant coach Kyle Bailey. “They played great as a team and fought hard the entire match. They got better today and now they can focus on a fresh start in the back draw.”

Thursday’s first match of the day saw Friedrich go up against Max Tchoutakian of Baylor in singles. Tchoutakian was able to get by Friedrich by a score of 6-3, 6-2 in the round of 64. In doubles, Friedrich and O’Keefe responded well after an opening set loss to take the second set and even things up heading into a ten-point tiebreaker. However, the University of Southern California’s duo of Brandon Holt and Riley Smith were able to take the decisive third set tiebreak, 10-8.

The Gamecocks will have a chance to play some more matches with the opportunity to participate in the consolation draw for both singles and doubles.

Stay tuned to Twitter (@GamecockMTennis) and GamecocksOnline.com for updates throughout the tournament.

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
Main Draw Singles
Cons. – Gabriel Friedrich (SC) vs. Andre Goransson (California) – 12:45 p.m. ET

Main Draw Doubles
Cons. – Friedrich/O’Keefe (SC) vs. Bechard/Kellerman (Tulsa) – 4 p.m. ET

THURSDAY’S RESULTS
Main Draw Singles
R64 – Max Tchoutakian (Baylor) def. Gabriel Friedrich (SC), 6-3, 6-2

Main Draw Doubles
R32 – Holt/Smith (USC) def. Friedrich/O’Keefe (SC), 6-4, 4-6, 10-8