Senior Alexandre Lacroix took the first step toward a national title Thursday, as he won his first-round match at the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships in Flushing, N.Y.
Lacroix proved worthy of his No. 9 national ranking by defeating Columbia’s Haig Shneiderman, whose school is roughly 10 miles from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in straight sets (6-2, 6-3).
“It was an extremely impressive performance to be able to beat sort of a hometown guy,” UF coach Andy Jackson said.
With the victory, Lacroix advanced to the round of 16, where he will face his highest-ranked opponent of the season today in Stanford junior Bradley Klahn, who is the fourth seed in the tourney.
No. 3 Klahn has been a force since he was a freshman, when he was named the ITA National Rookie of the Year. As a sophomore, he was both a singles and doubles All-American and won the NCAA singles championship.
However, this will not be the first time the two have faced each other. Lacroix defeated Klahn at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships in 2009.
“There’s going to be no doubt in his mind that he can beat him because he has beaten him,” Jackson said.
Women have early success: It was also a good first day for the women’s team, as Allie Will and Alex Cercone advanced to the singles round of 16. And the team of Sofie Oyen and Will advanced to the doubles quarterfinals.
No. 5 Will certainly earned her victory after she battled for three sets (6-2, 4-6, 6-4) against Lucia Batta of UNLV. Coming back from a 4-3 deficit to win three straight games in the third set, Will displayed her signature toughness, coach Roland Thornqvist said.
The talented sophomore also shined in her doubles match with Oyen, as the duo took down top-seeded Hilary Barte and Mallory Burdette of Stanford (9-7).
Thornqvist said the team played fearlessly against a very good opponent.
“You can’t just put the ball in and hope for the best,” he said. “You have to go in for it and win.”
Only a freshman, Cercone picked up a straight-sets victory (6-2, 6-2) against No. 120 Nicole Bartnik of Columbia.
The Gators’ lone loss of the day came when Olivia Janowicz lost to Connie Hsu of Pennsylvania in straight sets (6-3, 6-3). Janowicz earned a spot in the tournament after winning the singles championship at the ITA Southeast Regional.
