Chambana Sun

Illinois junior Kenta Miyoshi has made a strong debut at the NCAA Singles Championship, representing the Fighting Illini men's tennis program. The event is being held at Baylor's Hurd Tennis Center from November 19 to 24.

In the first round, Miyoshi, ranked 42nd, faced off against Kentucky's Jack Loutit, ranked 77th. Miyoshi took an early lead by breaking Loutit's serve in the second game of the first set. Although Loutit managed to break back, Miyoshi secured another break in the eighth game and won the set 6-3. In the second set, after losing the first game, Miyoshi won three consecutive games to gain a decisive advantage. He eventually closed out the match with a 6-4 victory in the second set.

Miyoshi advanced to face Radu Papoe of Cornell, ranked sixth, in the second round. Again serving first, Miyoshi broke Papoe's serve in the fourth game and maintained his lead to win the opening set 6-3. In a competitive second set that saw both players exchange breaks of serve early on, Miyoshi emerged victorious with a 6-4 win.

This performance not only propelled him into the third round but also earned him ITA All-America status for the first time in his career.

Results:

First Round (Monday, Nov. 19): #42 Kenta Miyoshi (Illinois) def. #77 Jack Loutit (Kentucky), 6-3, 6-4

Second Round (Tuesday, Nov. 20): #42 Kenta Miyoshi (Illinois) def. #6 Radu Papoe (Cornell), 6-3, 6-4