ATHENS, Georgia – Northwestern senior Strong Kirchheimer advanced through the first round of the NCAA singles tournament on Wednesday at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex on the campus of the University of Georgia.
Kirchheimer, ranked No. 37 nationally, beat No. 49 Gabriel Friedrich (South Carolina) in three sets, all of which were decided by two games. Kirchheimer took the first set 7-5 to gain an early advantage, but Friedrich bounced back for his own 7-5 win in the second. Kirchheimer got up 4-1 in the deciding frame and rode out the momentum to a 6-4 victory.
The senior gets No. 3 overall seed Petros Chrysochos (Wake Forest) tomorrow in the Round of 32. Kirchheimer (28-11) and Chrysochos (32-7) met earlier this year, with Chrysochos winning 4-6, 6-3, 3-6 at the ITA National Indoor Championships.
Classmate Konrad Zieba suffered a heartbreaking three-set loss in the first round to No. 51 ranked Josh Hagar (Notre Dame). Zieba won the first set, 6-4, but Hagar took the second, 6-3. Zieba led 4-3 and 6-5 at points during the third and final frame, but Hagar forced a tiebreak, which he went on to win 7-3.
Kirchheimer will play his Round of 32 match tomorrow (May 25) at the Magill Tennis Complex. The match time will be announced later.
First Round Results
#37 Strong Kirchheimer (NU) def. #49 Gabriel Friedrich (South Carolina), 7-5, 5-7, 6-4
#51 Josh Hagar (Notre Dame) def. #67 Konrad Zieba (NU), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3)
Kirchheimer, ranked No. 37 nationally, beat No. 49 Gabriel Friedrich (South Carolina) in three sets, all of which were decided by two games. Kirchheimer took the first set 7-5 to gain an early advantage, but Friedrich bounced back for his own 7-5 win in the second. Kirchheimer got up 4-1 in the deciding frame and rode out the momentum to a 6-4 victory.
The senior gets No. 3 overall seed Petros Chrysochos (Wake Forest) tomorrow in the Round of 32. Kirchheimer (28-11) and Chrysochos (32-7) met earlier this year, with Chrysochos winning 4-6, 6-3, 3-6 at the ITA National Indoor Championships.
Classmate Konrad Zieba suffered a heartbreaking three-set loss in the first round to No. 51 ranked Josh Hagar (Notre Dame). Zieba won the first set, 6-4, but Hagar took the second, 6-3. Zieba led 4-3 and 6-5 at points during the third and final frame, but Hagar forced a tiebreak, which he went on to win 7-3.
Kirchheimer will play his Round of 32 match tomorrow (May 25) at the Magill Tennis Complex. The match time will be announced later.
First Round Results
#37 Strong Kirchheimer (NU) def. #49 Gabriel Friedrich (South Carolina), 7-5, 5-7, 6-4
#51 Josh Hagar (Notre Dame) def. #67 Konrad Zieba (NU), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3)