Alvarez Falls on Day One at Masters

MALIBU, Calif. – Oklahoma men's tennis senior and the nation's No. 1 ranked singles player, Axel Alvarez, dropped his opening match of the 2015 Oracle/ITA Masters on Friday at the Malibu Racquet Club in Malibu, Calif.

Facing No. 16 Wayne Montgomery of Georgia, Alvarez dropped a close first set 4-6, and then fell 2-6 in the second.

“Axel struggled a bit today,” head coach John Roddick said. “Montgomery played a very good match tactically, and made the points difficult.”

The loss sends Alvarez into the back draw of the 16-player tournament, where he is guaranteed at least one more match. Alvarez will face junior Max Tchoutakian of Baylor, ranked No. 31, on Saturday.

“Axel will have another opportunity tomorrow,” Roddick said. “We know Max very well. I think whoever serves the best will come out on top Saturday.”

For complete coverage of the 2015 Oracle/ITA Masters, including live score and draws, click here.

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