College Match Day Schedule Announced, with 10 Matches Set for ESPN3 Streaming; Luke Jensen Resigns at Syracuse; Six US Players in Ecuador Grade 1 Quarterfinals

The University of Georgia's Dan Magill Tennis Complex
will host two USTA College Match Days

The USTA has announced the schedule for their College Match Day promotion this spring, with at least ten of the matches confirmed for streaming on ESPN3.

I had thought the doubles last and only if tied at 3-3 format was off the table, but apparently that's not the case for these matches and they will play singles first.  If you're counting, that's four different formats this season (men with no-ad, women with match tiebreaker in lieu of a third set, doubles only if tied at 3-3, and for the NCAAs, a return to the format used in the past).

In addition to receiving ESPN3 coverage (the format is mandated as doubles last only if ESPN3 is involved), eight matches will feature a 53-foot College Match Day trailer, an interactive Fan Experience where fans can engage in a number of activities before and during the match.

Below is the schedule that was distributed in today's press release (which can be found in a google document here).

In other college news, Syracuse announced that Luke Jensen, women's head coach since 2006, is leaving the program. In this Associated Press item on his departure, Jensen is quoted as saying:

"I loved my time at Syracuse. It was a great opportunity and the experience exceeded my wildest expectations. Moving forward, I very much want to return to the national tennis scene and pursue new opportunities."

Associate head coach Shelley George is taking over the head coaching position on an interim basis while a search is conducted, according to the Syracuse website.

Juniors from the United States had another successful day at the ITF Grade 1 in Guayaquil Ecuador, with three girls and three boys advancing to the quarterfinals.

Top seed Sonya Kenin defeated No. 13 seed Morgane Michiels of Belgium 6-3, 6-2, No. 9 seed Usue Arconada downed No. 7 seed Aliona Bolsova Zadoinov of Spain 7-5, 6-3 and No. 8 seed Dasha Ivanova beat qualifier Anastasia Gasanova of Russia 6-2, 6-4.

The three US boys advancing all won tiebreakers today. Unseeded Logan Smith beat No. 12 seed Peter Bertran of the Dominican Republic 1-6, 6-6(4), 7-5.  No. 9 seed Henrik Wiersholm downed Jordi Arconada, seeded No. 8, 6-3, 7-6(0) and No. 6 seed Alex Rybakov defeated No. 10 Alejandro Tabilo of Canada 7-6(3), 6-1.

Wiersholm and Rybakov, who won the doubles title last week at the Grade 1 in Colombia, are into the semifinals, as is Jordi Arconada, who is playing with Alexander Sendegeya of Great Britain.

For results and draws, see the ITF Junior website.