Three UF tennis players advanced through the prequalifying rounds of the D'Novo Men's ITA All-American Championships over the weekend, pushing the number of Gators in the qualifying round to five.
Tyler Hochwalt defeated Kayvon Karimi of Texas A&M 6-2, 6-2. Hochwalt competed in three matches this weekend and was dominant throughout, never dropping a set.
Joey Burkhardt also won in straight sets Sunday, beating Derek Stephens of NC State 6-1, 6-3. Unlike Hochwalt, who had a first-round bye, Burkhardt had to compete in four matches this weekend.
Dan Cash also advanced to the qualifying round, even though he lost in the last round to Eliot Potvin of Georgia Tech 6-1, 6-4.
Those three players will join Carlos Cueto and Jeff Dadamo, who were given a bye to the qualifying round. No. 108 Dadamo is the only ranked Gator.
The qualifying round kicks off Monday and there will be 128 players fighting for a chance to make it to the main draw, which starts Thursday. Burkhardt and Cueto could be hauling double-duty beginning Tuesday, when they will start the qualifying rounds of the doubles tournament.
