University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Kayla Renie/UGAAA
Giusca Wins Opening Match at ITA All-American Championships
October 03, 2022 | Men's Tennis
TULSA, Okla. – Fifth year Teodor Giusca won his opening match at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men's All-American Championships at the University of Tulsa on Monday afternoon against the No. 10 seed in the qualifying field, defeating UCLA's Patrick Zahraj by a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2 score.
With the victory, Giusca advances to the next round where he will compete against Tulsa's Daniel Siddall for a chance to make the singles main draw.
Fifth years Trent Bryde and Blake Croyder also competed in the first day of the singles qualifying draw, with Croyder also competing in the doubles qualifying draw with teammate Philip Henning, but all were unable to overcome their opponents.
"Everyone will play again tomorrow, and Teodor will have a chance to advance to the main draw [in singles]," said head coach Manny Diaz. "Hopefully, we can show some resilience and finish on a positive note."
Zahrai, the frequent choice for the UCLA Bruins' third position last season, was able to come back and win the first set after Giusca went up two service breaks. However, this did not deter Giusca, as he came into the second and third sets and impressively took down the 10th seed in the qualifying field.
Should Giusca, a Bucharest, Romania native, advance to the singles main draw, he would join redshirt freshman Ethan Quinn as the second Georgia player in the field. Quinn received a wildcard spot in both singles and doubles with partner Bryde for the main draw on September 16.
The win marks Giusca's third in his first four matches of the fall season, with his previous two coming at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships in September.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA Men's Tennis on social media on Twitter and Instagram @UGATennis, on Facebook @UGAMensTennis and on the web at GeorgiaDogs.com.
Doubles competition
No. 9-16 Fabien Salle/Natan Rodrigues (Louisville) def. Blake Croyder/Philip Henning (Georgia) 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6)
Singles competition
Alex Martinez (Oklahoma) def. Blake Croyder (Georgia) 6-3, 6-4
Ozan Baris (Michigan St.) def. No. 17-32 Trent Bryde (Georgia) 6-4, 7-5
Teodor Giusca (Georgia) def. No. 10 Patrick Zahraj (UCLA) 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2
With the victory, Giusca advances to the next round where he will compete against Tulsa's Daniel Siddall for a chance to make the singles main draw.
Fifth years Trent Bryde and Blake Croyder also competed in the first day of the singles qualifying draw, with Croyder also competing in the doubles qualifying draw with teammate Philip Henning, but all were unable to overcome their opponents.
"Everyone will play again tomorrow, and Teodor will have a chance to advance to the main draw [in singles]," said head coach Manny Diaz. "Hopefully, we can show some resilience and finish on a positive note."
Zahrai, the frequent choice for the UCLA Bruins' third position last season, was able to come back and win the first set after Giusca went up two service breaks. However, this did not deter Giusca, as he came into the second and third sets and impressively took down the 10th seed in the qualifying field.
Should Giusca, a Bucharest, Romania native, advance to the singles main draw, he would join redshirt freshman Ethan Quinn as the second Georgia player in the field. Quinn received a wildcard spot in both singles and doubles with partner Bryde for the main draw on September 16.
The win marks Giusca's third in his first four matches of the fall season, with his previous two coming at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships in September.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA Men's Tennis on social media on Twitter and Instagram @UGATennis, on Facebook @UGAMensTennis and on the web at GeorgiaDogs.com.
Doubles competition
No. 9-16 Fabien Salle/Natan Rodrigues (Louisville) def. Blake Croyder/Philip Henning (Georgia) 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6)
Singles competition
Alex Martinez (Oklahoma) def. Blake Croyder (Georgia) 6-3, 6-4
Ozan Baris (Michigan St.) def. No. 17-32 Trent Bryde (Georgia) 6-4, 7-5
Teodor Giusca (Georgia) def. No. 10 Patrick Zahraj (UCLA) 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2
Players Mentioned
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