College Tennis News - Men's Tennis Completes Day One at USTA Clay Court Invite

Tom Jomby advanced to the round of 16 in the singles draw on Friday.

Nov. 2, 2012 LEXINGTON, Ky. – With two victories in action Friday afternoon at the United Stated Tennis Association Clay Court Invitational at Disney, University of Kentucky men’s tennis player Juan Pablo Murra won two matches and has advanced to the quarterfinal round in the singles draw.

Murra started the day defeating Grant Ive of Tulsa in 6-4, 6-4 fashion, advancing him from the round of 32 to the round of 16. Murra then went on to log a win over Florida State’s Jordan Kelly-Houston also in 6-4, 6-4 fashion.

Murra was one of two Wildcats who advanced into the round of 16, joining junior Tom Jomby who laced a 6-3, 7-6 (5) win over Florida’s Gordon Watson. After the win, Jomby would go on to face Michael Redlicki of Duke, falling in three tight sets at 7-6 (8), 6-7 (5), 6-2.

In the opening round of the draw, junior Panav Jha fell to Colorado’s Dragos Ignat in three sets 6-0, 6-7 (4), 6-0.

In the doubles draw, UK threw two teams into the mix, pairing Jomby and Lai together as well as Jha and Murra. Friday’s action saw the round of 16 played only, with Jomby and Lai picking up a tight 9-8 (4) win over Rakitt/Melian of Georgia Tech. Lai and Jomby will play on Saturday afternoon in the round of 16 as the duo will face off against the No. 1 overall seed of Mengal/Saba of Duke University.

Action from Orlando, Fla., continues all throughout the weekend as Kentucky will have all four players in action Saturday afternoon.

UK Results for Day 1

Singles (Round of 32):

Murra (UK) def. Ive (Tusla) 6-4, 6-4

Jomby (UK) def. Watson (UF) 6-3, 7-6 (5)

Ignat (COL) def. Jha (UK) 6-0, 6-7 (4), 6-0

Engsted (CAL) def. Lai (UK) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4

Singles (Round of 16):

Murra (UK) def. Kelly-Houston (FSU) 6-4, 6-4

Redlicki (Duke) def. Jomby (UK) 7-6 (8), 6-7 (5), 6-2

Doubles (Round of 16):

Jomby/Lai (UK) def. Rakitt/Melian (GT) 9-8 (4)

DeVroome/Grant (USC) def. Murra/Jha (UK) 8-0

For continuing coverage of UK men’s tennis log on to UKathletics.com.