Oct. 8, 2008

Tennessee tennis players Davey Sandgren and John-Patrick Smith begin play Thursday in the main draw of the 2008 ITA All-American Championships played at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center in Tulsa, Okla.

Smith has not played in a match all tournament as the 2008 SEC Freshman of the Year received byes into the main draw of singles and doubles. Smith is ranked 10th in the preseason ITA singles poll after advancing to the championship match of the NCAA singles tournament in May. This weekend's tournament is being held on the same courts as the NCAA singles tournament.

Sandgren is Smith's partner for the doubles tournament.

Sandgren and Smith are ranked 13th in the preseason ITA doubles poll despite not playing in an official match with each other since last fall. Smith earned All-America doubles honors last season with partner Kaden Hensel. Sandgren occupied the No. 2 spot in the doubles lineup and finished the season with an overall doubles record of 25-16.

The duo went 7-3 last fall, defeating one ranked opponent and finished runner-up at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships.

Boris Conkic and Matteo Fago tried to join their teammates in the main draw but fell one match short. The UT duo defeated a ranked opponent in the second round of qualifying Tuesday but could not get past another one on Wednesday as 40th-ranked Kriegler Brink and Zach Nichols of TCU defeated the UT tandem 8-5.

Live stats for all matches at the All-American Championships can be found at tulsahurricane.com.

2008 D'Novo Men's All-American Championship- Oct. 8, 2008