Nov. 12, 2015
Flushing, N.Y. – Georgia Tech sophomore Christopher Eubanks upset the nation’s seventh-ranked singles player, Nicolas Alvarez of Duke, in straight sets Thursday in the opening round of the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships in Flushing, N.Y.
USTA/ITA National Indoor singles draw
Eubanks, No. 24 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association national singles rankings, defeated Alvarez, a sophomore from Lima, Peru and an All-American as a freshman, in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. He will face Ohio State junior Herkko Pollanen, ranked 93rd in the nation, Friday in the round of 16.
“First and foremost, I served well,” said Eubanks, who is playing the National Indoors on an at-large invitation. “I stayed composed in the big moments and was able to dictate play. I was able to get momentum and ride it out. I’m just trying to stay on top of things in the match. I got an early break in the second set.”
“Chris imposed his game on Alvarez today,” said Tech assistant coach Derek Schwandt, who is with Eubanks in New York while the rest of the Yellow Jackets compete in this weekend’s Bulldog Scramble in Athens, Ga. “Most importantly, he took his time, served accurately and played the match on his terms.”
The 6-foot-7 sophomore from Atlanta has a 9-3 record in singles this fall and a 2-2 mark against ranked opponents. Eubanks reached the semifinals of the Southern Intercollegiate Championships in Athens and the quarterfinals of the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional in Gainesville, Fla., earlier this fall.
The National Indoor Intercollegiate features singles and doubles draws for both men and women that begin Thursday and conclude with championship matches on Sunday.
