College Tennis News - Pecotic Closes Fall with USTA/ITA National Indoors Consolation Title

Matija Pecotic receives his consolation title award from David Benjamin, the ITA Executive Director and former Princeton head coach. Photo credit: ITA.
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Matija Pecotic receives his consolation title award from David Benjamin, the ITA Executive Director and former Princeton head coach. Photo credit: ITA.

Matija Pecotic defeated Peter Kobelt of Ohio State 7-6, 6-1 Sunday to win the consolation singles title at the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships at the National Tennis Center in New York.

Pecotic finished his fall campaign with a singles record of 26-2, winning singles titles at the Farnsworth/Princeton Invitational, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Men's College Invite and the USTA/ITA Northeast Regional. He also advanced to the semifinals of the ITA All-America and now has won the consolation title at the USTA/ITA National Indoors.

"It's difficult to imagine a player having a better fall season than Matija did," Princeton head coach Billy Pate said. "To go 26-2 against the quality competition he faced is an emormous accomplishment. Today was another great win against one of the top guys in college tennis. I always fell it shows far greater character to lose in the first round and then rebound to win four matches in capturing the consolation draw. It's easy to compete when you're on a roll, but Matija dealt with the setback of losing in the first round and showed tremendous resolve. Today he played what I think is the biggest server in the country and found a way to break him three times in the second sef. I couldn't be more proud of him and we're looking forward to preparing for the spring season.

Kobelt was the No. 2 seed in the main draw, while Pecotic was the No. 3 seed. Both were upset in the first round. Pecotic fought of four break points at various times in the first set while not having any break chances, taking the first set in a tiebreak.

Sunday's win improved his record against fellow ITA-ranked opponetns to 13-1, as Kobelt was ranked No. 35 in the preseason. Pecotic was ranked No. 67, a standing that will likely get a big boost once the new singles rankings come out Jan. 3.