Nott Reaches Semifinals; Doubles Teams Win

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Chris Nott advanced to the semifinals of the ASU Thunderbird Invitational with two wins Friday in Tempe, Ariz. The freshman netter defeated Murilo Souza of host Arizona State, 7-6(4), 6-3, in the first round. In his quarterfinal match, Nott was a 6-4, 6-3 winner over Auburn’s Lukas Maroun.

In Saturday’s semifinal, Nott will face Gustave Diep of New Mexico State.

Nott and Tyler Tarnasky beat Arizona State’s Souza and Patrick Brogan, 9-8(6), in a tight first-round match of the doubles competition. Branden Joost teamed with John Peers of Middle Tennessee State to best New Mexico State’s Diep and Jim Brouleau, 8-3.

Tarnasky rebounded from his three-set loss in the first round to Roman Stoisavjevic and defeated Middle Tennessee’s Kyle Wishing, 6-4, 7-5, in consolation play. Joost dropped his first match of the day to TJ Bellama, 6-0, 6-3, but responded with a win over Arizona State’s Jack Marsh in three sets, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, in the consolation draw.

“It was a perfect ending to our day to have the guys playing well in their afternoon matches,” head coach Robert Cox said. “Along with Chris being in the (single’s) semifinals, we also had strong doubles play today.”

Doubles action will kick off the day Saturday at 10 a.m. CT with the singles matches to follow. Log on to www.hogwired.com for complete results.

SINGLES:

First Round

Chris Nott (UA) def. Murilo Souza (ASU), 7-6(4), 6-3

Roman Stoisavjevic (NMSU) def. Tyler Tarnasky (UA), 6-3, 3-6, 6-2

TJ Bellam (ASU) def. Branden Joost (UA), 6-0, 6-3

Quarterfinals

Chris Nott (UA) def. Lukas Maroun (Auburn), 6-4, 6-3

Consolation

Tyler Tarnasky (UA) def. Kyle Wishing (MTSU), 6-4, 7-5

Branden Joost (UA) def. Jack Marsh (ASU), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

DOUBLES:

First Round

Nott/Tarnasky (UA) def. Patrick Brogan/Murilo Souza (ASU), 9-8(6)

Joost (UA)/John Peers (MTSU)
def. Gustave Diep/Jim Brouleau (NMSU), 8-3