M25 Houston Draws
HOUSTON, Texas – After yet another long day of rain and matches not starting until later in the evening, the Gators continue to compete in the Texas Tamale Co. Houston Cup, as Florida's
Oliver Crawford and
Lukas Greif secured a pair of upset wins on Thursday to advance to the tournament's quarterfinals rounds.
Sam Riffice nearly pulled off an upset of his own, but would unfortunately retire in the third set of his matchup to fall out of main draw singles action.
Sophomore
Lukas Greif has put together a remarkable performance throughout this week's tournament, prevailing through qualifying play while adding two more wins in the main draw to notch five consecutive thus far on the fall season. Greif's determination wouldn't stop on Thursday, as the Newburgh, Ind. native faced a challenge in No. 5 seed Harrison Adams, but would come out victorious once again in the second round of singles competition.
Greif,
ranked No. 70 in the Oracle ITA preseason national rankings, would go on to triumph Adams in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, to upset the No. 5 seed and claim a spot in the quarterfinals, slated for today (Sept. 20).
Junior
Oliver Crawford also saw a challenge in his second round competitor, No. 7 seed Ricardo Rodriguez, as the match would be decided in a thrilling three-set battle to the end.
Crawford,
ranked No. 3 in the Oracle ITA preseason national rankings, would go down early in the match, dropping the first set to Rodriguez, 6-3. Despite the first set's results, Crawford managed to climb back and defend three match points to claim the second set in tiebreak, 7-6 (2). With both players fighting to stay alive in the tournament's main draw, the third set ended in tiebreak fashion as well, as Crawford would narrowly edge Rodriguez to move on to the quarterfinals, 7-6 (6).
Sophomore
Sam Riffice entertained a tight matchup with No. 4 seed Alexander Sarkissian in the tournament's second round, as Riffice,
ranked No. 10 in the Oracle ITA preseason national rankings, got off to a good start in taking the first set, 7-5. Sarkissian would then go on to retaliate in the second set with a commanding 6-2 effort. Down two games to Sarkissian, Riffice would unfortunately fall victim to cramping in the third set, ultimately causing him to retire and grant Sarkissian the second round victory.
Main Draw Second Round
No. 4 seed Alexander Sarkissian def. No. 10
Sam Riffice, 5-7, 6-2, 2-0 (ret.)
No. 70
Lukas Greif def. No. 5 seed Harrison Adams, 6-3, 6-3
No. 3
Oliver Crawford def. No. 7 Ricardo Rodriguez, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (6)
THOUGHTS FROM VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH SCOTT PERELMAN:
- "We watched it rain all day and our matches did not start until 8 p.m. last night. Lukas took care of business like a champion. He played well and did not allow his opponent to get into the match. He continues to get better and better with each match he plays and he is representing the Gators with a lot of class."
- "Sam had a tough day at the office. He went into nearly full body cramps early in the third set. The trainer had to pack his body in ice after the match. We are working hard to get him ready for doubles today."
- "Oliver was special last night. He played for over four hours and saved four match points. Three in the second set and one in the third set. He did not play great but his competitive spirit was off the charts. He willed himself to the victory and his effort was second to none!"
- "Matches finished just after midnight and Lukas and Oliver are scheduled to play early this afternoon. Today will be a great opportunity and we are all looking forward to the challenge. Go Gators."
UP NEXT:
- In the quarterfinals of singles competition, Crawford will take on No. 2 seed Hugo Gaston while Greif matches up with Austin Rapp. Doubles competition will take place this evening, as Sam Riffice and Oliver Crawford will compete for the Gators with a matchup against No. 4 seed Peter Bothwell and Anderson Reed in the first round.
