USC’s Daniel Cukierman, Riley Smith Fight Through To Opening NCAA Singles Victories

ORLANDO, FLA. — USC's Daniel Cukierman and Riley Smith earned themselves double duty in securing Round of 64 victories in singles today in NCAA Singles opening competition out at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. With their respective victories in-hand, both Trojans advance to tomorrow's Round of 32 singles play while also pairing up to open NCAA Doubles action in tomorrow's Round of 32.

Cukierman made quick work of his 9-16 seeded foe, sprinting to a solid first-set win and then working his way up a break midway through the second to topple TCU's #12 Alastair Gray 6-3, 6-4. That puts Cukierman on through to the Round of 32 tomorrow. There, he'll take on Oklahoma State's #37 Matej Vocel in addition to opening up his doubles campaign with Riley Smith.

Smith secured double duty for himself after an all-out gutsy battle in his Round of 64 singles match with TCU's #81 Lleyton Cronje. The two went down to the wire in all three sets, each decided by nail-biting tiebreakers with Smith catching the key break late to claim an incredible 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5) victory. That propels the super senior into the Round of 32 tomorrow, with a clash against Texas A&M's #5 Valentin Vacherot on tap.

Ranked #10 in the nation together in doubles, Cukierman and Smith are due to face #8 Juan Carlos Aguilar/Bjorn Thomson of Texas A&M in tomorrow's opening Round of 32 doubles action.

To follow the action, download the TennisOne app for live streaming. Live scores are also available HERE.

2021 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS (USTA National Campus | Orlando, Fla.)

SINGLES
Round of 64 - May 23
#49 Daniel Cukierman (USC) def. [9-16] #12 Alastair Gray (TCU) - 6-3, 6-4
#52 Riley Smith (USC) def. #81 Lleyton Cronje (VCU) - 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5)

Round of 32 - May 24
#49 Daniel Cukierman (USC) vs. #37 Matej Vocel (OKST) -- 11 a.m. ET
#52 Riley Smith (USC) vs. #5 Valentin Vacherot (TAMU) -- 10 a.m. ET

DOUBLES
Round of 32 - May 24
#10 Daniel Cukierman / Riley Smith (USC) vs. #8 Aguilar/Thomson (TAMU) -- 6 p.m . ET