Melnikov and Koduri Capture All-American Status at NCAA Championships

ORLANDO - The Swarthmore College men's tennis team opened play at the 2023 NCAA Individual Championships with a pair of All-American selections on Thursday. Michael Melnikov received All-American status in singles action, while teaming with Utham Koduri for a doubles nod.

Melnikov continued his historic first-year campaign with a pair of All-American selections after winning both his singles and doubles first round matchups at the championships. The Germany native became the program's third All-American selection since 2000 - joining Charley Force (2022) and Jon Reiss (2007). Melnikov and Koduri are also the first freshman duo to win All-American doubles honors in program history.

Melnikov opened the championship tournament with an opening round victory over Hamilton College sophomore Connor Griff. The Garnet first-year took the opening set 6-3, before closing out the match with a 6-4 second set victory. Melnikov then advanced to the second round, where he battled Johns Hopkins junior Thomas Yu for the fourth time this season. The reigning Centennial Conference Player of the Year dropped his first matchup against Yu at the fall ITA Regionals, before claiming regular season and Centennial Championship victories over his rival. The Johns Hopkins standout evened the score this afternoon with a 6-2, 6-2 victory to eliminate Melnikov.

Melnikov and Koduri ended a successful opening day on a high note as they captured All-American status with a victory in the opening round of doubles play. The pair bested George Fox College's Camden Camacho and Vahag Pashayan (6-3, 7-6) to advance past the Bruins duo.

The Swarthmore pairing returns to action tomorrow against Abhi Ramireddy and Phuc Hyunh of Washington University. The match is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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