Bakshi Advances to NCAA Round of 32

WAKE FOREST, N.C. – Junior Alex Bakshi advanced to the second round of the 2018 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships Wednesday with a win over UNLV's Alexandr Cozbinov.

No. 30 Bakshi made quick work of No. 96 Cozbinov, taking down the Rebel, 6-1, 6-2. In the first set, Bakshi jumped out to a 5-0 lead before Cozbinov got on the board, but the Sooner put the frame away quickly. The junior gave up just two games in the second set to close out the match and advance.

The victory was good for Bakshi's seventh over a ranked opponent this season and his 16th overall.

Bakshi will face USC's Brandon Holt in the second round tomorrow. Holt advanced by virtue of beating Florida State's Guy Iradukunda in a three-setter, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, in the opening round.

Fellow Sooner and No. 64 Ferran Calvo was defeated by No. 18 Jose Salazar in three sets, 6-4. 3-6, 6-3. Calvo gave up the first set, but bounced back to capture the second, 6-3, and force a deciding frame, but it was Salazar that prevailed.

Time and court assignment for Bakshi's second round match have yet to be announced. For updates, follow @OU_MTennis on Twitter.