Nott and Lebedev reach semi-finals
Tulsa, Okla
.— Arkansas junior Chris Nott reached the semifinals of the 2009 ITA/Wilson Men’s Central Region Championship, on Sunday. Nott took a strong win in the quarterfinals before falling in the semifinals to the top seed and No.1 ranked player, Oleksander Nedovyesov of OSU at Tulsa’s Michael D. Case Center.
.— Arkansas junior Chris Nott reached the semifinals of the 2009 ITA/Wilson Men’s Central Region Championship, on Sunday. Nott took a strong win in the quarterfinals before falling in the semifinals to the top seed and No.1 ranked player, Oleksander Nedovyesov of OSU at Tulsa’s Michael D. Case Center.
Nott won four straight matches in Tulsa, with wins over No. 75 ranked Nebraska’s David Bendheim, 7-5, 6-3, in the quarterfinals of the main draw. Although he ultimately lost, 6-3, 6-4, to Nedovyesov, Nott pushed the OSU player to a full-hard battle.
“Nott had a great tournament run.” Arkansas head coach Robert Cox said, “He pushed the number one player and proved to himself, opponents and his teammates that he can play with anyone.”
In doubles action, the No. 43 ranked Arkansas team of Dmitry Lebedev and Nott exhibited a solid tennis performance on the courts in the semifinals of the main draw. The standout duo lost to the tournaments top seed and No. 20 ranked Oleksander Nedovyesov and Aleksey Bessonov of OSU, 8-6.
“They played tough competitors and were able to stay competitive through the entire match." Cox said, “ I am very proud with Chris and Dmitry’s performance at the tournament.”
The University of Arkansas men’s tennis team concluded a phenomenal finish Sunday ending with a combined singles and doubles record of 22-15.
Lebedev and junior Matt Hogan both had a successful tournament and advanced to the round of 16. Hogan fell to Oklahoma’s Iunot Belelue in straight-sets, 6-2, 6-3. Lebedev fought hard but lost to Nebraska’s Christopher Amueller, 6-3, 6-0. Amueller went on to defeat Beleleu to advance to the finals to face OSU’s Nedovyesov.
“Matt held up his end and went deep into the draw.” Cox Said, “ I am very pleased with his success in the tournament and the number of matches as a team we were able to play.”
Success did come for freshman Mike Ward, in his first year as a Razorback. Ward advanced to the main draw and showed great improvement. He defeated Bruno Hurtado of APB and Drake’s Guilherme Marsiglia, before falling in the round of 32, to Ashley Watling of Tulsa, 6-3, 6-5.
“Overall, we had a great tournament and Arkansas tennis has a strong heartbeat again.” coach Cox said, “The hogs played solid tennis and I am very pleased with the level played.”
Captain and senior Taylor King demonstrated strong leadership and battled through a series of tough matches. He defeated players from Nebraska and St. Louis to claim a spot in the main draw. King lost early in the main draw to Vlad Marinescu of Wichita State, 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(5).
“I am very proud of the leadership demonstrated by seniors Lebedev and King.” Cox said, “ It is good to see our players working hard and I am expecting good things from this Razorback team. They continue to improve week to week.”
The Razorbacks are schedule to resume play at the UNLV College Classic on Oct. 30-Nov. 1, in Las Vegas, Nev. Cox will send Razorbacks Matt Walters, Nikolas Zogaj, Bradwin Williams, and Lebedev.
Complete Results
Singles
Quarterfinals
Chris Nott (ARK) def. David Bendheim (NEB) 7-5, 6-3
Semifinals
Oleksandr Nedovyesov (OSU) def. Nott (ARK) 6-3, 7-5
Doubles
Semifinals
Nedovyesov/Bessovonov (OSU) def. Nott/Lebedev 8-6
