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ITA Men's All-American Championships
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin
Kotzen Completes Impressive Run at ITA All-American Championships
10/20/2021 3:12:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Sophomore defeats two Top-25 opponents at ITA All-American competition.
TULSA, Okla. -- Columbia Men's Tennis sophomore Alex Kotzen earned three victories, including two wins over Top-25 opponents, at the ITA Men's All-American Championships hosted by the University of Tulsa, Oct. 6-8.
One of just 48 players, nationally, to earn an automatic qualification, Kotzen first faced Old Dominion's Luca Maldoner in the main draw round of 64. After dropping a close first set 7-5, the New York City native rallied to claim the second set, 6-2, and the third, 6-1.
Kotzen faced #23 Hamish Stewart (Georgia) in the round of 32, defeating the ranked opponent 7-6, 6-3. The following day, with a quarterfinal berth on the line, Kotzen once again earned a straight sets victory this time defeating #11 Finn Reynolds (Ole Miss) 6-3, 6-4.
At the hands of Hawaii's Andre Illagan, Kotzen's run came to an end in the quarterfinal round. Despite decisively claiming the first set 6-1, Ilagan recovered to secure the second set for himself, 6-1, before earning victory in the third set, 6-2.
Kotzen has defeated four ranked opponents this fall, toppling #13 Gabriel Diablo (Kentucky) and #101 Karl Poling (Princeton) earlier this year.
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Men's Tennis by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsMTEN), Instagram (@culionsmten) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
One of just 48 players, nationally, to earn an automatic qualification, Kotzen first faced Old Dominion's Luca Maldoner in the main draw round of 64. After dropping a close first set 7-5, the New York City native rallied to claim the second set, 6-2, and the third, 6-1.
Kotzen faced #23 Hamish Stewart (Georgia) in the round of 32, defeating the ranked opponent 7-6, 6-3. The following day, with a quarterfinal berth on the line, Kotzen once again earned a straight sets victory this time defeating #11 Finn Reynolds (Ole Miss) 6-3, 6-4.
Check out Alex Kotzen's match point where he defeated Luca Maldoner (ODU) 5-7, 6-2, 6-1!
— Columbia Men's Tennis (@CULionsMTEN) October 6, 2021
Kotzen will take on (#9-16) Hamish Stewart (Georgia) tomorrow 11:30am EST for a spot in the final 16 of the @ita_tennis All-American Championships! #roarlionroar pic.twitter.com/XjPf4wMHPn
At the hands of Hawaii's Andre Illagan, Kotzen's run came to an end in the quarterfinal round. Despite decisively claiming the first set 6-1, Ilagan recovered to secure the second set for himself, 6-1, before earning victory in the third set, 6-2.
Kotzen has defeated four ranked opponents this fall, toppling #13 Gabriel Diablo (Kentucky) and #101 Karl Poling (Princeton) earlier this year.
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Men's Tennis by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsMTEN), Instagram (@culionsmten) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
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