TULSA, Okla. – Tennessee men’s tennis standout Alex Kotzen earned an impressive victory against the number one ranked singles player in the nation at the 2024 ITA All-American Championships on Thursday at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.
Kotzen, ranked 34th in the country in singles, defeated No. 1 Ozan Baris by a score of 7-5, 7-5. This marks his first career victory as a Vol and the highest-ranked win of his career. On Friday, Kotzen will go up against No. 26 Dhakshineswar Suresh in the next round of the consolation bracket.
The graduate student never trailed in the first set, advancing to a quick 5-0 advantage before Baris came back and knotted the match even at 5-5. The New York native then secured the next two points to secure the first set and provide momentum going into the next frame.
In the second set, Baris jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Kotzen regained his momentum and never looked back. He took seven of the next nine points to clinch the match and secure the upset win.
No. 10 Shunsuke Mitsui advanced to the next round via a walkover against No. 27 Pablo Alemany. The Shizuoka, Japan, native is slated to face No. 13 Sebastian Dominko on Friday.
Live stats will continue to be available for the duration of the tournament, as well as livestream coverage from Cracked Racquets and TrackTennis.
For the most up-to-date information about the program and to follow along with the action in Murfreesboro this weekend, follow Tennessee men’s tennis on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook.
Results:
Singles
#34 Alex Kotzen def. #1 Ozan Baris 7-5, 7-5
#10 Shunsuke Mitsui def. #27 Pablo Alemany walkover
Kotzen, ranked 34th in the country in singles, defeated No. 1 Ozan Baris by a score of 7-5, 7-5. This marks his first career victory as a Vol and the highest-ranked win of his career. On Friday, Kotzen will go up against No. 26 Dhakshineswar Suresh in the next round of the consolation bracket.
The graduate student never trailed in the first set, advancing to a quick 5-0 advantage before Baris came back and knotted the match even at 5-5. The New York native then secured the next two points to secure the first set and provide momentum going into the next frame.
In the second set, Baris jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Kotzen regained his momentum and never looked back. He took seven of the next nine points to clinch the match and secure the upset win.
No. 10 Shunsuke Mitsui advanced to the next round via a walkover against No. 27 Pablo Alemany. The Shizuoka, Japan, native is slated to face No. 13 Sebastian Dominko on Friday.
Live stats will continue to be available for the duration of the tournament, as well as livestream coverage from Cracked Racquets and TrackTennis.
For the most up-to-date information about the program and to follow along with the action in Murfreesboro this weekend, follow Tennessee men’s tennis on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook.
Results:
Singles
#34 Alex Kotzen def. #1 Ozan Baris 7-5, 7-5
#10 Shunsuke Mitsui def. #27 Pablo Alemany walkover
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