ORLANDO, FLA. — USC's decorated and dominant senior doubles duo of Daniel Cukierman and Riley Smith found themselves edged out of NCAA action in the quarterfinals, having become the first Trojan pair since 2012 to make such a deep run at the event. Up against an upset-minded Auburn tandem today at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla., #10 Cukierman/Smith recovered from a first-set loss with a strong second-set showing to force a deciding 10-point tiebreaker. There, the Tigers got some wind in their sails and secured the semifinal slot with a 7-6 (2), 3-6, 1-0 (10-3) decision that brought a close to the USC playing careers for Cukierman and Smith.

 

Once ranked #1 in the nation in doubles together this season, Cukierman and Smith remained a force to reckon with throughout their final campaign together as Trojans. Having secured ITA All-American honors with their journey to the NCAA Quarterfinals, Cukierman and Smith collected a 23-5 record together in doubles action in 2021. Cukierman closes out his USC career with an 82-23 overall doubles record in his four seasons as a Trojan. And in five seasons at USC, super senior Smith boasts a 116-35 career mark in doubles play.

 

Cukierman and Smith were instrumental in helping the Trojans reach the NCAA Quarterfinals as a team, as USC finishes 2021 ranked No. 10 int he nation in the final round of team rankings. 

 

The last USC pair to reach the NCAA doubles quarterfinals was Steve Johnson and Roberto Quiroz in 2012. 

 

Complete NCAA Individual results in Orlando by Cukierman and Smith are below. 

 

2021 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS (USTA National Campus | Orlando, Fla.)

 

SINGLES

Round of 64 - May 23

#49 Daniel Cukierman (USC) def. [9-16] #12 Alastair Gray (TCU) - 6-3, 6-4

#52 Riley Smith (USC) def. #81 Lleyton Cronje (VCU) - 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5)

 

Round of 32 - May 24

#49 Daniel Cukierman (USC) def. #37 Matej Vocel (OKST) - 6-1, 1-6, 6-4

[4] #5 Valentin Vacherot (TAMU) def. #52 Riley Smith (USC) - 6-1, 6-2

 

Round of 16 - May 25

[2] #2 Daniel Rodrigues (SC) def. #49 Daniel Cukierman (USC) - 6-4, 7-6 (5)

 

DOUBLES

Round of 32 - May 24

#10 Daniel Cukierman / Riley Smith (USC) def. #8 Aguilar/Thomson (TAMU) - 6-3, 6-0

 

Round of 16 - May 25

#10 Daniel Cukierman / Riley Smith (USC) def. [4] #2 Fomba/Gray (TCU) - 6-3, 6-4

 

Quarterfinals - May 26

#26 Maclean/Murgett (AUB) def. #10 Daniel Cukierman / Riley Smith (USC) - 7-6 (2), 3-6, 1-0 (10-3)