University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
All-American Championships
Smith Opens All-American Championships With Win
September 30, 2013 | Men's Tennis
Sept. 30, 2013
TULSA, Okla.-----Georgia sophomore Austin Smith defeated Michigan State's 77th-ranked Aaron Pfister, 7-5, 6-2, in the first round of the qualifying draw of the ITA All-American Championships Monday at the Case Tennis Center.
Smith needs three more wins to join teammates Nathan Pasha and Ben Wagland in the main draw. The Cumming, Ga., native will face Texas' Adrien Berkowicz Tuesday in the round of 64, and the winner plays again later in the day.
"Austin played well, and he continues to progress," said UGA associate head coach Will Glenn. "He's hitting his stride, and we are excited about tomorrow. It will be a big challenge going against Berkowicz, who won the junior college national championship in singles before he transferred to Texas. It should be a good match."
It was the 10th win of the fall for Smith and his fourth against a ranked opponent. He reached the final of the SEC Fall Classic in Nashville earlier this month.
Georgia senior Hernus Pieters was edged by Texas' Davis Holiner in three sets, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Eight players will advance out of the qualifying draw into the main draw. A field of 64 singles players and 32 doubles teams will compete in the main draw Oct. 3-6.
The All-American Championships is the first leg of the collegiate grand slam. Singles quarterfinalists, doubles finalists and consolation champions will receive automatic entry into the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships Nov. 7-10 in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
Monday's Georgia Results
Qualifying Round of 128
Austin Smith (UGA) def. [23] #77 Aaron Pfister (MICH ST), 7-5, 6-2
David Holiner (TEXAS) def. [19] #72 Hernus Pieters (UGA), 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
Tuesday's Georgia Schedule
Qualifying Round of 64
Austin Smith (UGA) vs. Adrien Berkowicz (TEXAS) [winner plays again on Tuesday]
Qualifying Consolation
#72 Hernus Pieters (UGA) vs. TBA
