My Interview with Chicago's Jay Tee on Division III Recruiting; Korda into Houston Futures Quarterfinals; Brady Reaches WTA Hong Kong Semis

Before the start of the semifinals of the ITF Grade B1 Pan American Closed today, I wanted to post a brief update on what's going on in college and junior tennis away from Tulsa.

The Tennis Recruiting Network has begun its annual Countdown to Signing Week, and my contribution this week is a conversation I had with University of Chicago men's and women's coach Jay Tee about the Division III recruiting process. I learned a lot from that interview, and I hope those interested in what Division III can offer a top junior player check it out.

Sebastian Korda could have played the Pan American Closed this week, but instead, the 17-year-old received a wild card into the $25,000 Futures in Houston, where he has reached the quarterfinals.  Korda defeated No. 4 seed Kaichi Uchida of Japan in the first round and took out Argentina's Alan Kohen, a qualifier, yesterday.  He plays former Northwestern standout Samuel Shropshire, a qualifier, today. Chris Eubanks, Thai Kwiatkowski and top seed Austin Krajicek are the other Americans through to the quarterfinals.

The USTA Women's Pro Circuit is in Sumter South Carolina, with top seed Taylor Townsend and qualifier Jessica Pegula, who play each other today, the only Americans remaining in the $25,000 tournament's quarterfinals.

The $100,000 Fairfield California ATP Challenger this week has been impacted by the deadly wildfires in the area, but has managed to stay on schedule, with the quarterfinals today.  Bradley Klahn, Bjorn Fratangelo[3], Mackenzie McDonald and Tennys Sandgren[2] are the Americans in the final eight, with McDonald and Sandgren meeting today.

Former UCLA star Jennifer Brady is through to her first WTA International semifinal in Hong Kong after beating Nicole Gibbs 7-5, 6-4.  Brady will face No. 7 seed Daria Gavrilova of Australia next.