Wildcats Wrap Up Invitational – University of Arizona Athletics

TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona came out on top in the blue singles draw of the Wildcat Invitational and took two more singles wins to round out the tournament. 

Freshman Jay Friend dominated singles play throughout the weekend and claimed the singles championship win in one of five draws. He won the previous two matches in straight sets defeating players from New Mexico State University and Gonzaga. 

In Sunday’s match, Friend put on an exhilarating show against Sasha Trkulja (GONZ) which was his only match that went to three sets. The Wildcat swept the Bulldog 6-0 in the third set to claim the win. 

Dominique Rolland, who put on fierce performances all weekend in singles and doubles competitions, stumbled in the singles championship match of the grey draw against Matthew Hollingworth (GONZ). The 17-year-old broke into a third set after winning a tiebreaker in the second but ultimately fell to the senior Bulldog. 

Eric Padgham made a stellar show when he won the consolation bracket in the red draw after defeating Paolo Rosati (GCU) in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. Jared Horwood stumbled in the semifinals of the white draw but bounced back on Sunday with a swift straight set win over Pablo Galvan (GONZ). 

Both Wildcat doubles teams were undefeated all weekend until Sunday morning, falling to Gonzaga in the doubles championship for each draw. 

Cats are coast to coast this week as Jonas Ziverts and Colton Smith will compete at the Battle in the Bay tournament in San Francisco while the rest of the team heads to Boston for Chowder Fest. 

Results 

• Horwood/Rolland vs. Alex Groves/Maciej Ziomber 3-6

• Friend/Padgham vs. Hollingworth/Trkulja (GONZ) 4-6

• Horwood vs. Galvan (GONZ) 7-5, 6-1

• Padgham vs. Rosati (GCU) 6-2, 6-3 

• Rolland vs. Hollingworth (GONZ) 5-7, 7(7)-6(3), 3-6

• Friend vs. Trkulja (GONZ) 6-3, 4-6, 6-0