Cressy-Smith Takes Spot in NCAA Semis

ORLANDO, Fla. – The second-seeded UCLA men's tennis pair of Maxime Cressy and Keegan Smith advanced to the semifinal round of the NCAA Championships doubles tournament Thursday, defeating Joel Gamerov and August Holmgren of San Diego 7-6(4), 6-3.

UCLA has sent a doubles team to the final-four round in each of the last two years and three of four. In 2018, the Bruins were represented by Smith-Austin Rapp and eventual champion Martin Redlicki-Evan Zhu. The 2016 campaign saw Redlicki and Mackenzie McDonald capture the title.

The 50th-ranked Torero tandem gave Cressy-Smith all it could handle early, eventually sending the first set to a tiebreaker. After a back-and-forth beginning to the extra game, the Bruins took control with the tone-setting first set in their sights. It was ultimately sealed by a Smith ace down the middle, giving UCLA momentum heading into the second frame.

The Bruins were able to earn a break of serve early, jumping out to a 3-1 lead in the process. Gamerov-Holmgren held serve at 5-2, but it proved too little, too late. With the ball back in the Bruins' court, a Smith delivery was returned long to complete the pair's third straight-set win in as many days.

That'll do it! ??@uclatennis's Cressy/Smith advance over Gamerov/Holmgren (San Diego) 7-6, 6-3! pic.twitter.com/ISPq9Q7hwx

— NCAA Tennis (@NCAATennis) May 24, 2019

Cressy-Smith improved to 19-0 on the year with the victory. The Pac-12 Doubles Team of the Year also moved to 10-0 against top-50 opponents. It will next face 5-8 seed Timo Stodder-Preston Touliatos of Tennessee Friday at a time to be announced.