Alhouni prepares to serve. (ITA photo)
ROME, Ga. – Gustavus men’s tennis player Mohanad Alhouni (Sr., Tripoli, Libya) defeated Jonathan Jemison of Emory University Friday morning to advance to the 2017 ITA Oracle Cup Singles Championship.
After falling in the semifinal round of the Oracle Cup Division III Singles Draws a season ago, the No. 1 seeded Alhouni prevailed with a 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 victory over Jemison to move on to the finals.
“Mo competed well today,” said Head Coach Tommy Valentini. “He played beautifully in the first set and was able to recover from a fantastic second set from an excellent opponent. On the third he stayed calm and poised and executed his game plan well. It was a great effort and we’re grateful he was able to come through. We’re excited for another great opportunity tomorrow.”
Alhouni will face the No. 2 seeded Daniel Levine of Carnegie Mellon University tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m (EST) for the singles title.
The doubles pair of Alhouni and Patrick Whaling (Jr., Manikob Sabot, Va.) defeated Hagino and Hughes of The University of Mary Washington 3-6, 6-4, 11-9 to advance to the consolation final and will take on Bouchet/Wanner of Emory University tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. (EST).
“In the doubles the guys were resilient beyond measure today,” Valentini commented. “The conditions were tough and Mary Washington played very well. Patrick and Mohanad were able hang in there, stay the course and trust each other and their game. They were bold in a few tight spots and that was the difference in a match that certainly could have gone either way. Tomorrow will be another fun challenge for them.”
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