Box Score ROME, Ga. - Michael Melnikov took the court on Thursday morning as he became the first Swarthmore College men's tennis player to represent the Garnet at the ITA Cup since Greg Emkey's appearance in 1998. Melnikov dropped his opening round matchup, but ended the tournament with a 2-1 record.

The freshman earned the opportunity after finishing as the runner-up in championship singles at the ITA Regionals two weeks ago. Melnikov carved through competition from Bridgewater College, University of Mary Washington and a pair of Johns Hopkins opponents without surrendering a set, before falling to a Hopkins player in the championship finale.



FIRST MATCH: STAPLES def. MELNIKOV (4-6, 6-2, 6-4)
Melnikov opened day one of the ITA Cup with a three-set battle against Reid Staples of Bowdoin College. The freshman took the opening set 6-4, but dropped the following set 6-2. Melnikov then fell to Staples 6-4 in the deciding set. 

SECOND MATCH: MELNIKOV def. ROGERS (6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3)
The freshman bounced back in his second match with a victory over Rox Rogers of George Fox University. Melnikov took the opening set once again with a decisive 6-3 victory to open the match. He then jumped out to an early lead in the second set as he took a 3-0 advantage over Rogers. However, the George Fox standout battled back with a 7-6 (5) victory as he forced a third set. Melnikov had to come from behind in the deciding set, but put together another 6-3 decision to claim the match. 

THIRD MATCH: MELNIKOV def. GRANTCHAROV (7-5, 7-5)
Melnikov ended the tournament with a winning record after defeating Emil Grantcharov of the University of Chicago in the back draw. The freshman took both sets by a score of 7-5.