Thayne, Fuchs take down ranked duo to claim ITA Mountain Regional doubles title

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Wally Thayne and Zach Fuchs won the ITA Mountain Regional doubles title Saturday, defeating No. 55 Geronimo Busleiman and Berk Bugarikj of Utah in the main draw final to punctuate a highly successful weekend for BYU men’s tennis.

Gallery Photo Credit: Air Force Athletics

The ranked victory came on a third set super tiebreaker (first to 10 points) where Thayne and Fuchs powered to a 7-1 lead before closing it out at 10-4. The match score ended at 5-7, 6-3 [10-4] to earn auto bids to the ITA National Fall Championships on Nov. 1-5. Entering the weekend, Utah’s duo was the top doubles team in the tournament.

“In the final round, Zach and I lost a close first set, but then got an early break in the second set and were able to serve it out and played a great tiebreaker,” said Thayne. “Zach and I have great chemistry. When one of us gets a little down, we’re really good at keeping the other guy fired up and positive.”

The early break in the third game of the second set kickstarted the energy that continued the rest of the way. Prior to the championship, the pair beat Northern Arizona’s Buzonics and Prachar in a straight set semifinal victory.

“We capitalized on the breakers that we had,” said Fuchs. “That was the difference maker for this tournament versus our last. There were a lot of situations where it could have gone another way, but Wally was clutch and I had a few moments myself where we kept our momentum going.”

Jack Barnett led all Cougars in singles play on the weekend, advancing to the semifinals. Saturday’s main draw, quarterfinals victory came over Jip van Assendelft of Boise State, 6-3, 6-4. The senior held onto the win by getting a second set break and holding his serve the rest of the way for the straight set win.

The Noosa, Australia native went 4-0 in singles on the week despite feeling under the weather.

“I wasn’t feeling great physically, so being able to grind it out through each match was good,” said Barnett. “I ended up playing my best tennis towards the end of the week. Getting to the semifinals was really special for me.”

Slated for Sunday, Barnett will not participate in the regional semifinal due to BYU’s observance of no Sunday play. As a result, a chance for an auto bid to the fall national championships was not able to be played out. BYU head coach Zack Warren will submit a wild card request for an opportunity to be rewarded with an appearance.

TJ Wells racked up a win in singles play Saturday, advancing to the consolation quarterfinals with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Weber State’s Matteo Savio (6-1, 7-5) before falling to Boise State’s Caden Moortgat. Barnett and Redd Owen also competed in the doubles consolation semifinals.

On a quick turnaround, the Cougars are back in action as Thayne and Fuchs will compete at the ITA All-American Championships beginning Monday, Oct. 2.

For Saturday’s results, see below.

Doubles Main Draw

Fuchs/Thayne def. Buzonics/Prachar (Northern Arizona) 7-6 (5), 6-3 // Semifinals

Fuchs/Thayne def. Busleiman/Bugarikj (Utah) 5-7, 6-3, [10-4] // Final

Doubles Consolation Draw

Schaber/Sallay (Denver) def. Barnett/Owen 8-5 // Semifinals

Singles Main Draw

Jack Barnett def. Jip van Assendelft (Boise State) 6-3, 6-4 // Quarterfinals

Singles Consolation Draw

TJ Wells def. Matteo Savio (Weber State) 6-1, 7-5 // Round of 16

Caden Moortgat (Boise State) def. TJ Wells 6-1, 6-4 // Quarterfinals