Alvarez Headlines Final Day of Play

ATLANTA, Ga. – Senior Axel Alvarez carried the torch for the Oklahoma men's tennis team on the final day of play at the 2016 MLK Invitational in Atlanta, Ga.

Playing in hidden dual format, the No. 2-ranked Sooners picked up a total of three wins against No. 7 Georgia on Monday, two of which were delivered by Alvarez. While all play will count for players' individual records and rankings, the results will not count toward the teams' records.

"He got on top of his guy early. Axel constructed the points better today and didn't force it.”
- Asst. Coach Bobby Reynolds

Alvarez started the day by pairing with sophomore Spencer Papa to take down Georgia's 10^th-ranked doubles team of Ben Wagland and Austin Smith, 6-3. In singles, Alvarez picked up another ranked win when he took down Smith, ranked No. 28, in straight sets.

“He came out and was more focused today than in days past,” Oklahoma assistant coach Bobby Reynolds said. “He took care of business. He got on top of his guy early. His opponent played well and served well, but I felt like from a tennis playing standpoint Axel constructed the points better today and didn't force it.”

Junior Alex Ghilea delivered Oklahoma's third win of the day. The Neamt, Romania, native grabbed his first ranked win of the year by knocking off No. 105 Walker Duncan in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.

“Alex had a tough one yesterday, but he played a new freshman from Georgia--who is going to be a good player--and dominated,” Reynolds said. “He showed him that he was the older guy and he took control with his forehand. When he is hitting his forehand big there aren't too many people who are able to beat him.”

In doubles, Biro and Ghilea pushed Jan Zielinski and Paul Oosterbaan to a tiebreaker but came up just short, losing 6-7. Siegel and Bragusi dropped their match with the 45^th-ranked pair of Montgomery and Emil Reinberg, 4-6.

“We had a lot of opportunities in doubles,” Reynolds said. “We just have to play the big points, bigger and better. That will come with more time and more practice. We're still finding the exact matchups for us as a team and where we want to put them. We came out with a lot of energy though and that's what I asked of them so that was good.”

Reynolds was pleased with the way the team performed over the weekend.

“The three matches that everybody got were good high quality tennis,” Reynolds said. “For being the first matches back after a long break, I was happy with the level they played at.”

Oklahoma finishes with 15 individual wins heading into its home opener this weekend. The Sooners will act as one of 16 host schools for the 2016 Kick-Off Weekend as they welcome Utah State, UTSA and Troy to the Headington Family Tennis Center.

With a pair of wins, OU will earn a chance to defend its 2015 title at the 2016 ITA National Indoor Championships in Charlottesville, Va. The Sooners will face the Aggies of Utah State on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT inside the Gregg Wadley Indoor Pavilion. Admission is free.

For more information on Oklahoma Men's Tennis, follow the team on Twitter @OU_MTennis.

MLK INVITATIONAL DAY TWO RESULTS

DOUBLES

Spencer Papa/Axel Alvarez Llamas def.^#10Ben Wagland/Austin Smith - 6-3
Jan Zielinski/Paul Oosterbaan def. Andre Biro/Alex Ghilea - 7-6
^#45Wayne Montgomery/Emil Reinberg def. Austin Siegel/Florin Bragusi - 6-4

SINGLES

^#60Axel Alvarez Llamas def. ^#28Austin Smith - 6-2, 7-5
^#92Alex Ghilea def.^#105Walker Duncan - 6-4, 6-2
Emil Reinberg def. Andre Biro - 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
^#20Wayne Montgomery def. Spencer Papa - 7-5, 4-6, 6-1
Ben Wagland def. John Milstead - 6-1, 7-5
Jan Zielinski def. Austin Siegel - 6-4, 6-2

MLK INVITATIONAL DAY TWO RESULTS

DOUBLES

SINGLES

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Axel Alvarez Llamas

Florin Bragusi

Alex Ghilea

John Milstead

John Milstead

Spencer Papa

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics