Two Gators Advance Through Pre-Qualifying at ITA All-American Championships

Sunday, October 2

Tulsa, OK

12:00 AM

Florida Gators

ITA All-American (Pre-Qualifying)

Two Gators Advance Through Pre-Qualifying at ITA All-American Championships

Monday, October 3, 2011 | Men's Tennis

The Florida men's tennis team opened play over the weekend at the 2011 ITA Men's All-American Championships, hosted by the University of Tulsa. Three Gators saw action in Pre-Qualifying Singles, with sophomores Andrew Butz (Vero Beach, Fla.) and Spencer Newman (Miami, Fla.) advancing through to the Qualifying stage.

Butz won four matches in two days, including a three-set win in the opening round on Saturday. He earned a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Illinois State's Tuomas Manner to earn a spot in the Qualifiers.

Newman, who had a bye in the first round, won all three of his matches in straight sets. He defeated Ugur Atalay from George Washington, 6-3, 6-4, to advance to the next stage of the Championships.

Sophomore Michael Alford (Tampa, Fla.) lost in the second round, 6-4, 6-2, to Johan Backstrom from Ole Miss.

In addition to Butz and Newman, three more Gators will play in the Qualifying stage. Juniors Frank Carleton (Naples, Fla.), Billy Federhofer (North Miami, Fla.) and Bob van Overbeek (Boca Raton, Fla.) will open play in the event on Monday.

Senior Nassim Slilam (Paris, France) will play in the Main Draw, which begins on Thursday.

ITA Men's All-American Championships

University of Tulsa – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Main Draw: October 6-9, 2011
Qualifying: Oct. 3-5

Pre-Qualifying: Oct. 1-2

Pre-Qualifying Results

First Round

Andrew Butz (UF) def. Aaron Dujovne (Purdue) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3

Spencer Newman (UF) – bye

Michael Alford (UF) – bye

Second Round

Andrew Butz (UF) def. Dusan Miljevic (Georgia Tech) 7-6 (4), 7-6 (6)

Spencer Newman (UF) def. Siim Tuus (Liberty) 6-2, 6-3