TULSA, Okla. – University of New Mexico’s Samir Iftikhar and Hayden Sabatka will represent the Lobos this week at 2014 Saint Francis Health System ITA Men’s All-American Championships being hosted by the University of Tulsa at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.
In singles play, Sabatka will face Tulsa junior Dylan McCloskey in the first round of the 128-player Qualifying Draw on Monday at 9 a.m. CDT. Sabatka will have to make it through three rounds of qualifying play in order to advance and join Iftikhar in the Main Draw. Iftikhar started as an alternate for the main draw, but received word that he would compete in the feature draw early last week. Main Draw competition will begin on Thursday, Oct. 2.
This is Iftikhar’s second time competing at the ITA All-American Championships. In fall 2013, Iftikhar made it through his first match in qualifying play, but dropped his second match to North Carolina’s Ronnie Schneider, 7-6 (5), 6-4, ending his run in the tournament. This will be Sabatka’s first time competing at the ITA All-Americans.
“The All-American is an awesome tournament,” head coach Bart Scott said. “It’s one of the three biggest individual tournaments of the season and will obviously be a great early test for Sam and Hayden. Ben and I are excited to see what they can do.”
Iftikhar and Sabatka will also compete in the Qualifying Draw for doubles this week. Draws have not yet been released. The duo will have to make it through three rounds of doubles play in order to make it to the Main Doubles Draw.
“Sam and Hayden both know that you can’t look past your first opponent at this tournament in particular,” Scott added. “I know they are excited to compete against the best players in the country.”
For updates and results throughout the week, head to golobos.com or follow along on the UNM Men’s Tennis Facebook page.
About the Saint Francis Health System ITA Men’s All-American Championships
The first major championship of the fall collegiate season for the men has been hosted by the University of Tulsa at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center since 2005. Since 1979, this event has successfully combined competitors who had stellar seasons the year before with the cream of the crop from the freshman class.