Anthrop and Nakashima Win Pro Doubles Title
6/5/2023 3:47:10 PM | Men's Tennis
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State had a great run to the end of the collegiate tennis season and two of its young players have continued that run right into the summer. Rising sophomore Jack Anthrop and incoming freshman Bryce Nakashima won the doubles title at the 15K pro event in Santa Fa, Calif., last week.
“It was a great tournament for us, especially since it was the first time we’ve ever played doubles together,” Anthrop said. “I think we played exceptionally well in all of our matches. It’s extremely tough to win a tournament when you play with a new partner for the first time. I also think it’s good that we are getting to play doubles together since we could possible play as a team sometime during the upcoming season.”
The duo with three-consecutive three-set wins. They took down Bryce Pereira and Patrick Zahraj 7-6, 3-6, 10-7 in the first round and the bested Hudson Rivera and American tennis great James Blake in the second round 6-7, 7-6, 11-9. In the third round, they beat former Texas A&M and TCU standout Juan Carlos Aguilar and partner Joe Tyler 7-6, 1-6, 10-4. That team was the No. 2 seed in the event.
In Saturday’s final, they faced Aidan McHugh and former NCAA Doubles Champion Keegan Smith (UCLA). Anthrop and Nakashima dominated throughout, winning 6-1, 6-4 to claim the title. This was the first pro title for Anthrop and it was Nakashima’s second. He also won a doubles title in Cancun last year.
Anthrop had a great finish to his freshman season, earning NCAA All-Tournament Team honors. He was 21-4 on the year, including 16-1 at the No. 6 spot. His play helped the Buckeyes reach the NCAA championship match. Nakashima is a Blue Chip recruit who is ranked in the Top 15 in this year’s class. The San Diego, Calif., native will come to campus later this summer and will begin play for the Buckeyes this fall.
#GoBucks
