TUCSON, Ariz.--- The Wildcats will get back to work this week, as they'll send four players to take part in the ITA Regional Championships this weekend in Malibu, Calif. Competition begins Thursday morning and runs through Sunday afternoon.
No. 37 Naoki Takeda, senior Jason Jaruvang, sophomore Trent Botha, and junior Harry Busby will all represent the Wildcats at the event. The tournament will mark the second competition of the year for all four Wildcats.
“We compete in one of the toughest regions in the country,” said head coach Tad Berkowitz. “It will be a great test for our guys, but we are ready to go. I feel very confident with our guys as our fall season progresses.”
Singles play at the ITA Regional Championships will begin Thursday at 9 am, while Arizona will compete against the very best talent from the Southwest Region.
Takeda enters the event with plenty of confidence, nearly earning a couple of ranked wins last week at the ITA Men's All-American Championships, as he easily defeated Drake's No. 40 Ben Lott 6-3, 7-5 in the opening round of main draw play. A day later, he almost took down Texas A&M's No. 35 Shane Vinsant, but dropped a 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-1 affair.
Jaruvang boasts Arizona's best overall record this season at 5-1, including picking up a victory last week at the ITA Men's All-American Championships, while he also claimed a singles flight championship at the Arizona Invitational a few weeks back.
Newcomers Busby and Botha have already provided a positive impact for the Cats, as Busby is 3-3 overall including competing in a championship match at the Arizona Invitational, while Botha is 4-2 overall, including earning a victory last weekend at the ITA All-American Championships.
Check back for full draws and results.
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