ORLANDO, Fla. – Duke's top doubles duo in
Garrett Johns and
Pedro Rodenas won their opening match of the 2023 NCAA Doubles Championship on Wednesday at USTA National Campus.
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The win advances the pair to Thursday's round of 32 and marks the first victory for a Blue Devil duo at the national postseason tournament since 2013 when
Henrique Cunha and
Raphael Hemmeler made it to the semifinals.
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During Wednesday's opening round, Duke's tandem pulled off the upset win when they beat fourth-seeded and No. 6-ranked Trent Bryde and Ethan Quinn of Georgia 6-4, 7-6 (5). The victory handed the duo their fourth over a nationally ranked foe and their 23rd overall this season as a pair.
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Johns and Rodenas next face No. 14-ranked Rafa Izquierdo Luque and Joseph Wayand of NC State in the round of 16 on Thursday at 2 p.m.
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In addition, Rodenas concluded his singles tournament on Wednesday when he fell to the No. 1 overall seed Eliot Spizzirri of Texas. The Madrid, Spain, native held his own against the top-ranked player in the country but ultimately dropped a 7-5, 7-6 (3) decision.
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The rookie wrapped up his first season with a 33-7 overall record and a 9-4 mark against nationally ranked opponents.
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Live video and live scoring will be available for Thursday's matches.
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2023 NCAA Div. I Men's Singles Championship
May 22-27, 2023 at Orlando, Fla. (USTA National Campus)
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Singles – Round of 16 (Wednesday)
[1] Eliot Spizzirri (Texas) def.
Pedro Rodenas (Duke) 7-5, 7-6 (3)
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Doubles – Round of 32 (Wednesday)
Garrett Johns/
Pedro Rodenas (Duke) def. [4] Trent Bryde/Ethan Quinn (Georgia) 6-4, 7-6 (5)
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UPCOMING
Doubles – Round of 16 (Thursday)
Garrett Johns/
Pedro Rodenas (Duke) vs. Rafa Izquierdo Luque/Joseph Wayand (NC State) – 2 p.m.
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#GoDuke
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