SEATTLE – Cesar Bouchelaghem accomplished one huge goal this week, qualifying for the NCAA Singles Championships by reaching the finals of the ITA Northwest Regionals. He couldn’t quite finish off his outstanding week with a win, however, falling in the title match to Cal’s Carl Emil Overbeck in a three-setter at the Nordstrom Tennis Center.
Bouchelaghem, the Husky senior from France, was only the No. 7 seed in a deep and talented Regional field, but played like the favorite all week, battling through to this morning’s final. Taking on Overbeck, the No. 3 seed, Bouchelaghem broke in the first set for a 4-2 lead, and took the first set, 6-3. But Overbeck broke for a 2-0 second set lead and quickly evened the match with a 6-1 set win. Overbeck then broke serve in the fourth game of the final set for a 3-1 lead, and held his form to a 6-2 win.
Both players will be among the field of 64 for the NCAA Singles Championships next month in Waco, Texas. Bouchelaghem will be just the third Husky in the past 10 years to play in the NCAA Singles tourney, joining Jake Douglas (2018) and Clement Chidekh (2022). He was aiming to be the first Husky Regional Champion since Matt Hanlin in 2002.
Next on the fall schedule for the Huskies is the Farnsworth Invitational hosted by Princeton, and the Pacific Invitational in Stockton, Calif., both from Nov. 1-3.
Regional Runner-Up for Cesar!
Congrats on a phenomenal week, earning a trip to NCAAs ??#GoHuskies pic.twitter.com/Qt9cNX8cx7
— Washington Men’s Tennis (@UW_MTennis) October 22, 2024
ITA Northwest Regional Championships
Seattle, Wash. | Oct. 22, 2024
Nordstrom Tennis Center
Main Draw Singles
Final
(#56) [3] Carl Emil Overbeck (Cal) def. (#108) [7] Cesar Bouchelaghem (UW) – 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
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