Back To The Semis: Chidekh In National Fall Final Four

SEATTLE – Clement Chidekh today became just the second Husky ever to reach the semifinals of the ITA National Fall Championships, continuing on one of the most impressive fall campaigns in school history. Chidekh previously reached the semis at the fall's first major, the ITA All-American Championships, and is now back in the final four at the second and final national event of the fall.
 
The Lyon, France native is the first Husky ever to reach the semis of both majors in one year. He joins Robert Kendrick as the only Huskies to make the semifinals at each event. Kendrick made the All-American Championship semifinals in 1998 and the National Indoor Championships (the former National Fall Championships) final in 1999.
 
Chidekh had to win twice today to reach the semifinals. In his round of 16 match, he had a 6-2, 6-3 win over Pepperdine's Andrew Rogers, the ITA Southwest Region champ. In the quarterfinals, Chidekh held off Ohio State's JJ Tracy, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. Tracy was also a quarterfinalist at the All-American Championships.
 
"Clement had some really good patches of play today in both matches, against guys that were not easy to play against," said Head Coach Matt Anger. "They were hitting a lot of high-level shots and he was able to stay alive while they were playing that way, and then separate when they weren't and when he was able to dictate and take control himself."
 
Chidekh is one of two players to make the semifinals of both fall majors. He will face the other player, August Holmgren of San Diego, on Saturday.
 
"I'd like to say not a lot of guys are getting to the semis of the first two major events, however Clement's playing a guy who got to the final of Tulsa," said Anger. "We know August Holmgren, respect him, he's a very good player, they're gonna have a heck of a match tomorrow."
 
Pacific Invitational
 
Farther up north in Stockton, California, the Huskies also kicked off three days at the Pacific Invitational. On the opening day, the Huskies went 5-1 in doubles matches against UC Davis and Santa Clara, and then won four out of five singles matches against Saint Mary's.
 
In singles play against the Gaels, the Huskies got victories from Ewen Lumsden, Jack Davis, Nedim Suko, and Jack Pulliam.
 
Doubles saw Davis team with Brandon Wong and go 2-0 with a pair of 6-4 wins against UC Davis and Santa Clara duos. Pulliam and Rikuto Yamaguchi also had a 2-0 day, with 6-2 and 6-1 wins. Lumsden and Suko had a 6-1 win against UC Davis, but fell in a tiebreaker in their match against Santa Clara.

 
Washington Men's Tennis
 
ITA National Fall Championships
Nov. 5, 2021
San Diego, Calif. | Barnes Tennis Center
 
Round of 16
 (#72) [1] Clement Chidekh (UW) def. Andrew Rogers (Pepp) – 6-2, 6-3
 
Quarterfinals
(#72) [1] Clement Chidekh (UW) def. (#99) [8] JJ Tracy (Ohio St) – 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
 
Pacific Invitational
Nov. 5, 2021
Stockton, Calif. | Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center
 
Doubles vs UC Davis
Davis/Wong (UW) def. Davis/Volgin (UCD) – 6-4
Suko/Lumsden (UW) def. Torres/Morgan (UCD) – 6-1
Pulliam/Yamaguchi (UW) def. Brinkman/Necz (UCD) – 6-2
 
Doubles vs Santa Clara
Davis/Wong (UW) def. Dalmasso/Neuhaus (SCU) – 6-4
Pulliam/Yamaguchi (UW) def. Ali/Rodriguez (SCU) – 6-1
Shah/Bell (SCU) def. Suko/Lumsden (UW) – 7-6 (5)
 
Singles vs Saint Mary's
Ewen Lumsden (UW) def. James Watt (SMC) – 7-6 (0), 6-2
Jack Davis (UW) def. Carlos Ramos (SMC) – 7-5, 6-1
Nedim Suko (UW) def. Boris Reckow (SMC) – 6-3, 6-0
Jack Pulliam (UW) def. Felipe Rincon (SMC) – 6-0, 4-6, 6-2
Karlo Divkovic (SMC) def. Rikuto Yamaguchi (UW) – 6-4, 6-4