Montes Advances to ATP Challenger Quarterfinals

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –  Seven current and former members of the Virginia men’s tennis team will be competing this week at the Jonathan Fried Pro Challenger, an ATP Challenger 80 tournament taking place Oct. 30- Nov. 6 on the indoor courts of the Boar’s Head Sports Club.

Junior Iñaki Montes was awarded a wildcard into the main draw of the tournament. He took advantage of the opportunity, downing No. 459 Olukayode Alafia Damina Ayeni 6-2, 6-2 in the opener to advance to the second round. Montes downed the tournament’s No. 7 seed, Aleksander Kovacevic, 7-6(4), 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals. Kovacevic is ranked No. 165 in the world. He will face No. 211 Paul Jubb in the quarters.

This is Montes first time advancing to a quarterfinal of a Challenger in singles. He won the Segovia Challenger doubles title over the summer. He has won a pro singles title at the ITF World Tennis Tour level, taking the crown in Mungia, Spain over the summer.

Junior Chris Rodesch advanced to the qualifying final with a 7-6(4), 6-3 win against No. 482 Ezekiel Clark and then picked up a second top-500 win with a 6-4, 6-4 victory against No. 354 Keegan Smith, the top-seeded player in the qualifying tournament. Rodesch faced Florida alum Ben Shelton in his main draw opening match, falling 6-4, 6-3.

Jeffrey von der Schulenburg and Alexander Kiefer played the doubles main draw, but were edged 2-6, 7-6 (5), 10-6 in their opening match. Alum Treat Huey also competed in doubles.

Grad student Ryan Goetz, von der Schulenburg and former Cavalier Gianni Ross played in qualifying, each dropping their opening matches.