AAC Championships Bracket

TULSA Okla. (SMU) – Top-seeded SMU defeated the fourth seed, USF, 4-2 today to advance into its first AAC title match. The Mustangs remain undefeated in AAC play at 9-0, are 21-6 overall, and currently hold a 10-match winning streak, the program's longest since 2011. SMU will face No. 2 seed Memphis in the final Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
 
The Mustangs started off strong in doubles. Adam Neff and Pranav Kumar jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead on line one. USF's No. 32 ranked top pairing answered with three straight games, but Neff and Kumar finished off the match, 6-3, with dominant service play in the final game. SMU's electric duo of Huntley Allen and Julian Steinhausen kept their hot streak going. The pairing won 6-2 on court three to secure the doubles point and their eighth straight victory. Caleb Chakravarthi and Ivan Thamma were leading 5-3 on court two when their teammates clinched the point.
 
USF tied the match at 1-1 with the first singles finish, a straight set 6-3, 6-4 win on court one.
 
The Mustangs responded with a straight set victory of their own on court four. Kumar won the first set 6-4, before dominating in the second 6-1. In addition to his top-line doubles contributions, Kumar has won seven singles matches in a row.
 
Thamma brought the Mustangs one step closer on court six. The grad-senior methodically broke down his opponent, winning 6-4 in the first set and 6-2 in the second. USF once again answered, winning in a tight contest on court three 6-3, 7-6 (3).
 
Sophomores Steinhausen and Liam Krall played in the final two matches leading 3-2, and SMU just needing one more point to win. After dropping the first set 4-6, Krall flipped a switch. He hit winner after winner throughout the next two sets, eventually defeating his opponent 6-3, 6-4 to send the Mustangs into the final.
 
Mustang Quotes
Following a pivotal win on court six, Thamma stated, "Huge effort from the guys today. We came out with alot of energy and fight, and it really showed down the line. Pumped we got the win today and can't wait for the finals tomorrow."
 
After his clinch, Krall added, "To be able to come out on top and play good tennis is super special to me and to the guys. I'm just really happy we're able to be in this moment."
 
Winning Streaks
Huntley Allen and Julian Steinhausen have won eight straight doubles matches and 13 of their last 14. They are 14-2 in dual play this season.

 
Steinhausen has won his last seven singles matches, the last six being in straight sets.

 
Pranav Kumar has won seven singles matches in a row and nine of his last 10. He is 11-3 on line four and 15-5 overall this season.

 
Liam Krall is on a six-match winning streak. The former AAC Freshman of the Year is 16-3 in singles dual matches.
 
AAC Tournament Finals
The top-seeded Mustangs will take on No. 2 seed ­Memphis Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT in the AAC championship. The match will be streaming live on ESPN+. SMU defeated the Tigers 4-0 in Dallas on April 4^th.
 
Final | Sunday, April 24 | ESPN+
SMU vs. Memphis
1 p.m. ET/Noon CT
 
Singles
1. YATSUK, Ivan (USF) def. NEFF, Adam (SMU) 6-3, 6-4
2. KRALL, Liam (SMU) def. FERGUSON, Chase (USF) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
3. MUNIZ, Antonio (USF) def. CHAKRAVARTHI, Caleb (SMU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
4. KUMAR, Pranav (SMU) def. TUDORICA, Alvin (USF) 6-4, 6-1
5. STEINHAUSEN, Julian (SMU) vs. GOMEZ MONTESA, S. (USF) 3-6, 6-3, 4-4, unfinished
6. THAMMA, Ivan (SMU) def. OLIVEIRA, Bruno (USF) 6-4, 6-2
 
Doubles
1. NEFF, Adam/KUMAR, Pranav (SMU) def. #32 BOLLIPALLI, Rithvik/OLIVEIRA, Bruno (USF) 6-3
2. THAMMA, Ivan/CHAKRAVARTHI, Caleb (SMU) vs. FERGUSON, Chase/YATSUK, Ivan (USF) 5-3, unfinished
3. STEINHAUSEN, Julian/ALLEN, Huntley (SMU) def. TUDORICA, Alvin/GOMEZ MONTESA, S. (USF) 6-2