Sept. 10, 2015
FLUSHING, N.Y. – University of Notre Dame men’s tennis standout Quentin Monaghan fell to UCLA’s Mackenzie McDonald in first round action Friday at the American Collegiate Invitational at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center. The second-seeded McDonald won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.
McDonald converted on 81 percent (25/31) of first serve points won and won four of eight break points en route to Friday’s semifinal. The winner of the American Collegiate Invitational will receive a wild card bid to the 2016 US Open.
“It was a tough match; he’s a good player,” Monaghan said. “The first set was a lot of nerves and I didn’t serve very well. I was a little too defensive and he’s a pretty aggressive player, so I didn’t give myself too many chances. But I settled in an competed better in the second set and at least made it close and gave him a match.”
Despite the loss, Monaghan was grateful for the opportunity to play at such a storied venue.
“It was incredible,” Monaghan said. “I was really thankful for the opportunity to play here. It was a little different setting, so I was a little nervous going out there because I’m not used to too many random fans and the courts are fast, but it was different and a lot of fun once I got settled in.”
Monaghan will return to action next Friday in the inaugural Oracle/ITA Masters tournament at the Malibu Racquet Club in Malibu, California. In addition to competing in the 16-player singles field, he will team up with classmate Alex Lawson in as part of the eight-team doubles field.
Tournament pairings for all draws will be announced shortly.
For the latest on all things Irish men’s tennis, follow @NDMensTennis on Twitter and like Notre Dame Men’s Tennis on Facebook.
Joanne Norell, Athletics Communications Assistant
-ND-