Azkara Advances into Norman USTA M-15 Main Draw

NORMAN, Okla. — Arda Azkara enjoyed Oklahoma so much he’s hanging around.  He and teammate Avery Tallakson took part in qualifying for the UTSA M15 Pro event in Norman, Oklahoma, with Azkara winning both of his singles matches to advance into the 16-man main draw.

Azkara won his initial singles match, winning over Ashwin Vaithianathan by a 6-1, 6-2 score. Azkara, the top-seed in the qualifying draw, took out Drake’s top player Jeremy Schifris 6-1, 6-3.  Schifris went 1-1 against Lobos at the ITA Central Region Championships last week, an event Azkara advanced to the semifinals in.  Teammate Avery Tallakson lost in his opening match, falling in a tight one to Joan Torres Espinosa 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 (10-4).

Azkara, who is in the doubles draw with Auburn’s Tyler Stice, will play Chad Kissell in the Round of 16 on Wednesday.