LAS VEGAS – Two University of Denver men's tennis players advanced to the singles quarterfinals of the 2024 ITA Mountain Regional Championships, hosted by UNLV, on Saturday.
 
No. 1 seed Daniel Sancho Arbizu and No. 10 seed Raffaello Papajcik won their round of 16 matches on the tournament's third day. A third Pioneer – junior Ryoma Mishiro – also played in Saturday's round of 16 but lost in a third-set tiebreak to the No. 4 seed.
 
Sancho Arbizu needed three sets to defeat the No. 12 seeded Youssef Kadiri from Nevada. He claimed the first set, 6-2, but dropped a closer second set. The DU senior regrouped in the third and matched his first set scoreline to take the match.
 
Papajcik won in straight sets over Tristan Sarap from Weber State, losing just six games for the second time in his last three matches.
 
In doubles, the Denver duo of Papajcik and senior Rikuto Yamaguchi fell in the round of 16, 8-3.
 
Play continues at the 2024 ITA Mountain Regional Championships on Sunday with the quarterfinals in both singles and doubles.
 
SATURDAY'S DOUBLES RESULTS
Round of 16: [4] Baker/Middleton (Boise State) def. [13] Papajcik/Yamaguchi: 8-3
 
SATURDAY'S SINGLES RESULTS
Round of 16: [1] Daniel Sancho Arbizu def. [12] Youssef Kadiri (Nevada): 6-2 4-6 6-2
Round of 16: [10] Raffaello Papajcik def. Tristan Sarap (Weber State): 6-4 6-2
Round of 16: [4] James Van Herzeele (Boise State) def. [16] Ryoma Mishiro: 6-1 2-6 7-6(4)
 
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SUNDAY'S SINGLES SCHEDULE
Quarterfinal: [1] Daniel Sancho Arbizu vs. [7] Georgio Samaha (New Mexico)
Quarterfinal: [10] Raffaello Papajcik vs. [8] Aram Noroozian (New Mexico)
 
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