ORLANDO, Fla. – Duke’s top doubles duo in Garrett Johns and Pedro Rodenas won their opening match of the 2023 NCAA Doubles Championship on Wednesday at USTA National Campus.
The win advances the pair to Thursday’s round of 32 and marks the first victory for a Blue Devil duo at the national postseason tournament since 2013 when Henrique Cunha and Raphael Hemmeler made it to the semifinals.
During Wednesday’s opening round, Duke’s tandem pulled off the upset win when they beat fourth-seeded and No. 6-ranked Trent Bryde and Ethan Quinn of Georgia 6-4, 7-6 (5). The victory handed the duo their fourth over a nationally ranked foe and their 23rd overall this season as a pair.
Johns and Rodenas next face No. 14-ranked Rafa Izquierdo Luque and Joseph Wayand of NC State in the round of 16 on Thursday at 2 p.m.
In addition, Rodenas concluded his singles tournament on Wednesday when he fell to the No. 1 overall seed Eliot Spizzirri of Texas. The Madrid, Spain, native held his own against the top-ranked player in the country but ultimately dropped a 7-5, 7-6 (3) decision.
The rookie wrapped up his first season with a 33-7 overall record and a 9-4 mark against nationally ranked opponents.
Live video and live scoring will be available for Thursday’s matches.
2023 NCAA Div. I Men’s Singles Championship
May 22-27, 2023 at Orlando, Fla. (USTA National Campus)
Singles – Round of 16 (Wednesday)
[1] Eliot Spizzirri (Texas) def. Pedro Rodenas (Duke) 7-5, 7-6 (3)
Doubles – Round of 32 (Wednesday)
Garrett Johns/Pedro Rodenas (Duke) def. [4] Trent Bryde/Ethan Quinn (Georgia) 6-4, 7-6 (5)
UPCOMING
Doubles – Round of 16 (Thursday)
Garrett Johns/Pedro Rodenas (Duke) vs. Rafa Izquierdo Luque/Joseph Wayand (NC State) – 2 p.m.
#GoDuke
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