University of Georgia Athletics
Quinn Wins Thrilling First Round Match at NCAA Singles Championship
May 22, 2023 | Men's Tennis
LAKE NONA, Fla. – Ethan Quinn of the Georgia men's tennis team won his round of 64 match of the NCAA Singles Championship in a three-set battle against TCU's Luc Fomba on Monday morning at the United States National Complex.
Quinn, the field's No. 2 seed, beat Fomba, the nation's 19th-ranked singles player, by a 6-7(7), 6-2, 7-5 result in a back-and-forth contest. Redshirt senior Philip Henning ended his collegiate career with a loss to Miami's Dan Martin in the opening round by a 7-6(4), 6-4 score. Henning finished the season with a 23-13 record in singles, going 17-7 on court two as well as 10-0 in the conference schedule, and 17 wins in doubles.
No. 2 Quinn will face Ryan Seggerman of North Carolina tomorrow, May 23, in the round of 32 at a time to be announced later. Seggerman beat SMU's Adam Neff, 6-4, 7-6(4), Monday morning to advance.
"Ethan played in a tough, difficult match," said head coach Manuel Diaz. "Luc Fomba is one of the biggest servers in college tennis. Ethan had to find a way to put enough balls in play as Fomba was playing his game. He won a close tiebreaker in the first set, and Ethan found himself down a break in the second set. It took a lot of courage, a lot of heart, and a ton of hard work for Ethan to come back and win that match. I'm proud of what he's done this year."
The second-seeded Quinn opened the first set in his match against Fomba with each side holding serve heading into the tiebreaker. Quinn opened with a 3-1 lead before the Horned Frogs' choice for court two this season rattled off three-straight points. Quinn responded by tying the breaker at six-all, however, Fomba took the set, 7-6(7), after winning three of the final four points and saving a set point.
Quinn, a native of Fresno, Calif., bounced back in the second set by earning a pair of breaks and going up 4-1 early. Each side would hold serve the following three games, allowing Quinn to even the match by taking the second set, 6-2.
In a third set filled with deciding points, it was Quinn who found himself behind early, as Fomba held serve twice and earned a break to take an early 3-0 lead. At break point and trailing 4-2, Fomba's forehand slice went directly into the net and allowed Quinn to tie the match after serving. After the set was again tied at 5-5, the Bulldogs' choice for court one saved a match point and broke Fomba, allowing him to serve for the match. Quinn fell behind 40-15 but managed to come back and earn match point, winning his opening round match off a thunderous ace to clinch the 6-7(7), 6-2, 7-5 win. Quinn improved to 29-10 in singles on the season with a 21-7 mark against ranked opponents.
Henning's match against Martin began at approximately 2:30 p.m., with the redshirt senior trailing in the first set, 3-4, but leading in the game, 30-love, at the time of a lightning delay that forced all matches indoors. The match was paused for about an hour and 15 minutes, beginning again at 3:45 p.m. Henning, the nation's 19th ranked singles player, would force a breaker in the first set but Martin managed to take it, 7-6(4). Henning would fall behind in the second, again 3-4, but broke back and tied the set. Martin would earn a break and served to close out the match, winning by a 7-6(4), 6-4 score.
Henning, a Bloemfontein, South Africa native, finished his collegiate career with a 102-50 singles record and 89-41 in doubles, which puts him tied for the 15th-most doubles wins in program history. With a 191-91 combined record, Henning ranks 17th on the career combined wins total list, tied with teammate Blake Croyder.
"Philip's opponent was outstanding today, all the credit to Dan Martin," said Coach Diaz. "Philip is disappointed, but I'm so proud of the career he's had. It was his last match as a Bulldog, but he played in every match representing the G with immense pride. I'm so proud of how he's always represented our program with class. He always went out there well-prepared for both practice and matches. I couldn't be prouder of him."
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 online at GeorgiaDogs.com.
Singles Results
Round of 64 – 05/22/23
No. 2 Ethan Quinn (UGA) def. Luc Fomba (TCU) 6-7(7), 6-2, 7-5
Dan Martin (MIA) def. Philip Henning (UGA) 7-6(4), 6-4
Quinn, the field's No. 2 seed, beat Fomba, the nation's 19th-ranked singles player, by a 6-7(7), 6-2, 7-5 result in a back-and-forth contest. Redshirt senior Philip Henning ended his collegiate career with a loss to Miami's Dan Martin in the opening round by a 7-6(4), 6-4 score. Henning finished the season with a 23-13 record in singles, going 17-7 on court two as well as 10-0 in the conference schedule, and 17 wins in doubles.
No. 2 Quinn will face Ryan Seggerman of North Carolina tomorrow, May 23, in the round of 32 at a time to be announced later. Seggerman beat SMU's Adam Neff, 6-4, 7-6(4), Monday morning to advance.
"Ethan played in a tough, difficult match," said head coach Manuel Diaz. "Luc Fomba is one of the biggest servers in college tennis. Ethan had to find a way to put enough balls in play as Fomba was playing his game. He won a close tiebreaker in the first set, and Ethan found himself down a break in the second set. It took a lot of courage, a lot of heart, and a ton of hard work for Ethan to come back and win that match. I'm proud of what he's done this year."
The second-seeded Quinn opened the first set in his match against Fomba with each side holding serve heading into the tiebreaker. Quinn opened with a 3-1 lead before the Horned Frogs' choice for court two this season rattled off three-straight points. Quinn responded by tying the breaker at six-all, however, Fomba took the set, 7-6(7), after winning three of the final four points and saving a set point.
Quinn, a native of Fresno, Calif., bounced back in the second set by earning a pair of breaks and going up 4-1 early. Each side would hold serve the following three games, allowing Quinn to even the match by taking the second set, 6-2.
In a third set filled with deciding points, it was Quinn who found himself behind early, as Fomba held serve twice and earned a break to take an early 3-0 lead. At break point and trailing 4-2, Fomba's forehand slice went directly into the net and allowed Quinn to tie the match after serving. After the set was again tied at 5-5, the Bulldogs' choice for court one saved a match point and broke Fomba, allowing him to serve for the match. Quinn fell behind 40-15 but managed to come back and earn match point, winning his opening round match off a thunderous ace to clinch the 6-7(7), 6-2, 7-5 win. Quinn improved to 29-10 in singles on the season with a 21-7 mark against ranked opponents.
Henning's match against Martin began at approximately 2:30 p.m., with the redshirt senior trailing in the first set, 3-4, but leading in the game, 30-love, at the time of a lightning delay that forced all matches indoors. The match was paused for about an hour and 15 minutes, beginning again at 3:45 p.m. Henning, the nation's 19th ranked singles player, would force a breaker in the first set but Martin managed to take it, 7-6(4). Henning would fall behind in the second, again 3-4, but broke back and tied the set. Martin would earn a break and served to close out the match, winning by a 7-6(4), 6-4 score.
Henning, a Bloemfontein, South Africa native, finished his collegiate career with a 102-50 singles record and 89-41 in doubles, which puts him tied for the 15th-most doubles wins in program history. With a 191-91 combined record, Henning ranks 17th on the career combined wins total list, tied with teammate Blake Croyder.
"Philip's opponent was outstanding today, all the credit to Dan Martin," said Coach Diaz. "Philip is disappointed, but I'm so proud of the career he's had. It was his last match as a Bulldog, but he played in every match representing the G with immense pride. I'm so proud of how he's always represented our program with class. He always went out there well-prepared for both practice and matches. I couldn't be prouder of him."
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 online at GeorgiaDogs.com.
Singles Results
Round of 64 – 05/22/23
No. 2 Ethan Quinn (UGA) def. Luc Fomba (TCU) 6-7(7), 6-2, 7-5
Dan Martin (MIA) def. Philip Henning (UGA) 7-6(4), 6-4
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