SURPRISE, Ariz. – Senior Sameer Kumar and junior William Genesen dropped decisions in the opening round of the ITA National Fall Championships Wednesday at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex.
Both played three-set thrillers, as Kumar faced Virginia's Ryan Goetz and Genesen matched up with Tulane's Ewan Moore.
After dropping the opening set, Kumar bounced back with a decisive 6-1 second-set win. He battled Goetz to the end in the third set before falling, 7-5.
Genesen raced out to an opening-set win (6-3), but dropped the second set, 6-4, and fell in the decisive third set, 6-3.
Both will be back in action Thursday in the consolation draw, with Kumar facing Dartmouth's Charlie Broom and Genesen facing Illinois' Alex Brown.
The ITA National Fall Championships features 64 of the nation's top collegiate men's singles players and 32 men's teams. It is the final event of the fall schedule for the Cardinal.Wednesday, November 7
Singles Round of 64
No. 60 Ewan Moore (TUL) d. William Genesen (STAN) 3-6 6-4 6-3
Ryan Goetz (UVA) d. No. 63 Sameer Kumar (STAN) 6-4 1-6 7-5
Thursday, November 8
Singles Consolation First Round
No. 63 Sameer Kumar (STAN) vs. Charlie Broom (DART) – 11:30 a.m. PT
William Genesen (STAN) vs. Alex Brown (ILL) – 11:15 a.m. PT