A slice of Sun Devil Athletic Department history happened Thursday afternoon in Malibu at the third annual Oracle ITA Masters.
Sun Devil Michael Geerts defeated Razvan Grigorescu of Nebraska-Omaha (#63 ITA) 6-1, 6-4 and teammate Benjamin Hannestad did the same to Matic Spec of Minnesota (#39 by ITA) 7-5, 7-5 to register the first collegiate tennis wins since the ASU program was reinstated, as ASU last competed in 2008.
"For Arizona State, it's a great opportunity to show our team a little bit and who we have and try to represent Arizona State as best as possible," said Geerts. "I think the coaches have set up a great program for us."
Geerts is ranked as the fourth-best newcomer in the nation by the Oracle-ITA rankings.
The men's and women's singles champions earn automatic entry into the 2017 Oracle ITA National Fall Championships, which will be held November 1-5, in Palm Desert, California. The Oracle ITA National Fall Championships replaces the ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships.
2017 ORACLE MASTERS RESULTS
Michael Geerts defeated Razvan Grigorescu (Nebraska-Omah), 6-1, 6-4 (first round/Sept. 21)
Benjamin Hannestad defeated Matic Spec (Minnesota) 7-5, 7-5 (first round/Sept. 21)
(Thanks to ITA Communications for assistance)
Sun Devil Michael Geerts defeated Razvan Grigorescu of Nebraska-Omaha (#63 ITA) 6-1, 6-4 and teammate Benjamin Hannestad did the same to Matic Spec of Minnesota (#39 by ITA) 7-5, 7-5 to register the first collegiate tennis wins since the ASU program was reinstated, as ASU last competed in 2008.
"For Arizona State, it's a great opportunity to show our team a little bit and who we have and try to represent Arizona State as best as possible," said Geerts. "I think the coaches have set up a great program for us."
Friday Geerts, the fourth-seed, will take on 13th-seeded William Bushamuka of Kentucky at 1:15 p.m. at the Malibu Raquet Club. The winner of that match will play at 4 p.m. Hannestad, the 12th seed, takes on third-seeded Johannes Schretter of Baylor also at 1:15 at MRC and would play at 4 if he won as well.32 has become 16! The men have finished first round matches in Malibu at #OracleITAMasters!
— ITA Tennis (@ITA_Tennis) September 22, 2017
??: Highlights and results?? pic.twitter.com/EaOXA74nJE
Geerts is ranked as the fourth-best newcomer in the nation by the Oracle-ITA rankings.
The men's and women's singles champions earn automatic entry into the 2017 Oracle ITA National Fall Championships, which will be held November 1-5, in Palm Desert, California. The Oracle ITA National Fall Championships replaces the ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships.
2017 ORACLE MASTERS RESULTS
Michael Geerts defeated Razvan Grigorescu (Nebraska-Omah), 6-1, 6-4 (first round/Sept. 21)
Benjamin Hannestad defeated Matic Spec (Minnesota) 7-5, 7-5 (first round/Sept. 21)
(Thanks to ITA Communications for assistance)