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Box Score 4 The Keiser men's tennis team showcased its strength at the ITA Cup, led by Shaheed Alam, who reached both the singles and doubles finals in an impressive all-around performance.
Alam battled through a loaded singles draw, starting with a hard-fought 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 victory over Julian Tantera (Huntington) in the Round of 16. He followed with a 6-2, 6-3 win against Ching Wah Wai (Holy Cross) in the quarterfinals before defeating Nereo Suarez (Xavier (La.)) 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals. In the championship match, Alam pushed Santiago Villarruel (Georgia Gwinnett) to three sets before ultimately falling 5-7, 7-5, 6-0 to finish as the ITA Cup Singles Runner-Up.
In doubles play, Alam teamed up with Heber Santos for another strong run. The duo opened with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Oakland City's Jose Perez Perez and Nelson Ramos, then rallied from a set down to defeat Nereo Suarez and Ivan Vazquez (Xavier (La.)) 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 1-0 (10-8) in the quarterfinals. After topping Islam Orynbasar and Quang Vinh Nguyen (William Carey) 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 (10-5) in the semifinals, the Seahawks fell 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the championship to Santiago Villarruel and Luis Francisco (Georgia Gwinnett), finishing as doubles runners-up.
When asked about the effort of Alam, Director of Tennis
Daniel Finn said, "First off, great effort by him this week. You wouldn't know it, but he came in a little banged up and still continued to produce all week long. Unfortunately, today the bounce just didn't go his way, but it was a phenomenal week of tennis from him, and I'm proud of the way he represented the program. As for being a leader, well, he is the oldest on the team, both in age and class rank. He does a great job of leading by example. In the way he presents himself and just competes day in and day out on the court. He should be keeping his head held high after this week"
On Santos, "Heber is a dog on the court. He always competes. Every point. He uses his voice to be a vocal leader and make sure that he lifts those around him with the way he competes. Proud of the way he stepped up in some big moments throughout the doubles to help the team reach the finals."
Moving forward, "Both guys this week represented our program with class and competed at the highest level. To have someone in the singles final and the doubles final isn't a small accomplishment."
(2)
Shaheed Alam
R16: Def. Julian Tantera (Huntington) 7-6 (7-1), 6-1
QF: Def. Ching Wah Wai (Holy Cross) 6-2, 6-3
SF: Def. Nereo Suarez (Xavier (La.)) 6-3, 6-3
Final: Lost to (1) Santiago Villarruel (Georgia Gwinnett) 5-7, 7-5, 6-0
(1) Alam/Santos
R16: Def. Jose Perez Perez/Nelson Ramos (Oakland City) 6-4, 6-1
QF: Def. Nereo Suarez/Ivan Vazquez (Xavier (La.)) 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 1-0 (10-8)
SF: Def. (4) Islam Orynbasar/Quang Vinh Nguyen (William Carey) 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 (10-5)
Final: Lost to (2) Santiago Villarruel/Luis Francisco (Georgia Gwinnett) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
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