Filin Wins Boys 18 National Doubles Title
8/10/2024 5:56:00 PM | Men's Tennis
The incoming freshman will play in the US Open main draw later this month
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State incoming freshman Nikita Filin put a cap to his junior tennis career in the best way possible, by winning a national title. The Glenview, Ill., native won the Boys 18 Doubles title in Kalamazoo this week with partner Alex Razeghi.
By virtue of their victory, Filin and Razeghi earned a spot in the US Open main draw later this month in New York.
The duo dominated the entire week, not dropping a set in any of their six victories. That included a 6-3, 6-3 win over the fifth-seeded team of Ian Mayew and Kase Schinnerer in the semifinals and a 6-2, 7-5 win over No. 6 seeds Trevor Svajda and Kaylan Bigun in Saturday’s final.
Filin is a Top 10 ranked recruit in the 2024 class and the No. 1 ranked recruit from Illinois according to Tennis Recruiting Network. He rose into the Top 60 in the ITF world junior rankings and also claimed the Boys 18 clay court doubles title in 2022.
Cash and Tracy Continue Hot Streak
Recent Ohio State graduates, and 2024 NCAA Doubles National Champions Robert Cash and JJ Tracy have continued their hot streak this summer. After winning the NCAA title at the end of May, they made their professional debuts at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport and rolled into the doubles final, eventually finishing runner-up. They then competed at the Mubadalia Citi DC Open at the beginning of August and this week, claimed their first pro titles as professionals, winning the doubles crown at the Lincoln Challenger.
In the quarterfinals, they had a battle with No. 4 seeds Christian Harrison and George Goldhoff, winning 13-11 in the match tiebreaker. They then won easily, 6-3, 6-3, in the semifinals before topping the No. 1 seeds Ariel Behar and Luke Johnson 7-6(6), 6-3 in the finals.
Cash and Tracy also earned a spot in the US Open main doubles draw by virtue of their NCAA doubles title. It will be the first major for both players.
Before their trip to New York, the Columbus area natives will play close to home as they will be in the doubles draw at the Cincinnati Open this week in Mason, Ohio. Cash and Tracy open the tournament against the No. 8 seeded team of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
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