Oct. 22, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Behind a straight-set 7-6, 6-3 win in the quarterfinals of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Ohio Valley Indoor Championships, University of Kentucky men’s tennis player Tom Jomby advanced through to the singles semifinals, marking the furthest he has ever advanced at the ITA Regional Indoor Championships.
“I thought Tom had a really good match in the quarterfinals,” UK head coach Cedric Kauffmann said. “He really served well, played well on big points and moved exceptionally well. In the semi’s, he was a little tired mentally. He is not used to playing six or seven matches in this little timeframe. Tennessee also played really well, and full credit goes to them. I am extremely proud of him and we will keep moving forward.”
In singles play, Jomby racked up his fifth-straight win in the morning session with a straight-set 7-6, 6-3 win over the No. 10 seed Connor Glennon of Memphis. With the win, Jomby reached the semifinals of the singles championship bracket before falling in the afternoon session 6-2, 6-4 to the No. 2 overall seed in the singles draw, Mikelis Libietis of Tennessee. In the other semifinal match, Ryan Lipkins of Vanderbilt advanced through to the finals, where he will take on Libeitis for the title.
Jomby had an extremely busy day at the Memphis Racquet Club on Monday afternoon as he and doubles partner Kevin Lai, who were seeded as the No. 2 overall team in the tournament fell to the No. 1 seeded team by an 8-1 margin on Monday. The duo paired to win the opening five matches of the tournament, advancing further than any UK duo in the field.
“It was kind of an off day in doubles,” Kauffmann said. “We started slow and you have to give full credit to Tennessee. They played well. But, I was very proud of Tom and Kevin of getting to the finals in just their second tournament they played in. They will keep moving forward. This is a very good result.”
The run by Jomby ends UK’s play in Memphis, as the Wildcats conclude another successful fall tournament. Kentucky placed five singles players into the round of 32, with Anthony Rossi and Tom Jomby moving through to the round of 16 and Jomby advancing to the semifinals.
The men’s tennis team will take some time off before returning to action on Nov. 2, at the 2012 Collegiate Clay Court Tournament on Orlando, Fla. The event will run from Nov. 2-4 in the Sunshine State.
UK Results of Play – (Monday, October 22, 2012)
Doubles Championship Match:
(1) Collins/Libietis (Tennessee) def. (2) Jomby/Lai (Kentucky) 8-1
Singles Quarterfinals:
(4) Tom Jomby (UK) def. (10) Connor Graham (Memphis) 7-6, 6-3
Singles Semifinals:
(2) Mikelis Libietis (Tennessee) def. Tom Jomby (UK) 6-2, 6-4
For continuing coverage of UK men’s tennis, log on to UKathletics.com.
