The Sentinel: Search results for Kenta Miyoshi

Illinois' Kenta Miyoshi advances to NCAA Singles Championship in Waco

EAST LANSING — University of Illinois junior Kenta Miyoshi has secured his place in the NCAA Singles Championship following a stellar performance at the ITA Midwest Regional held at Michigan State University. Miyoshi's qualification marks a significant milestone in his collegiate tennis career as he prepares to compete in Waco, Texas, from Nov. 19-24.

The Kawasaki, Japan, native showcased remarkable consistency and poise throughout the tournament, stringing together five consecutive victories before falling in the final to top-seeded and top-ranked Ozan Baris of Michigan State. Miyoshi’s progress highlights the growing competitiveness of Big Ten players on the national circuit. His adaptability and skill against ranked opponents position him as a strong contender in Waco, while his resilience and discipline make him one to watch in the upcoming season at Illinois.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Kenta Miyoshi rips a forehand shot at the 2023 Illini Open. The Illinois junior will play against the top college tennis players in the country at the NCAA Singles Championship later this week.

Miyoshi opened the competition with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Alex Fuchs of Ohio State in the Round of 64, followed by a dominant 6-0, 6-0 shutout against Michigan State’s David Saye. His commanding form continued in the Round of 16 with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 victory over Michigan’s Alex Cairo.

The quarterfinals and semifinals tested Miyoshi’s mettle against ranked opponents. He outlasted No. 4 seed and No. 13-ranked Sebastian Dominko (Notre Dame) 6-2, 7-6(6) in the quarters and edged past No. 6 seed and No. 70-ranked Alexander Bernard (Ohio State) in a nail-biting 7-6(8), 6-4 semifinal. Despite his valiant effort, Miyoshi succumbed 6-4, 6-3 in the final against Baris, capping an exceptional run at the ITA Midwest Regional.

Miyoshi’s performance in East Lansing adds to an impressive fall season in which he boasts a 10-4 singles record, with seven of those wins coming against ranked opponents. This includes a standout victory in the singles consolation bracket at the Battle in the Bay, where he recorded four consecutive wins over ranked competition.

The junior’s consistency against elite opposition has been a hallmark of his fall campaign. Out of his 14 singles matches, 10 were against ranked players, underscoring his readiness to compete at the highest level. Miyoshi becomes one of just eight Big Ten athletes to advance to the 64-player NCAA Singles Championship draw this fall, a prestigious event now held in autumn for the first time.

Miyoshi will face No. 77 Jack Loutit of Kentucky in the opening round of the NCAA Singles Championship. Loutit, a sophomore originally from Auckland, New Zealand, brings an impressive pedigree with a top-50 ITF Junior ranking and multiple international titles. Their matchup promises to be an early highlight of the tournament as Miyoshi continues to establish presence representing Illinois on the national stage.

Miyoshi is aiming to become the first Illinois men’s tennis player since Amer Delic in 2003 to claim the NCAA singles title. With his recent form and ability to excel under pressure, Miyoshi may be the next tennis star to represent the Illini tennis program.

Keywords: Kenta Miyoshi, NCAA Singles Championship, Illni Tennis, NCAA tennis qualifier, ITA Midwest Regional, Fighting Illini Sports

Illini's Miyoshi wins back-to-back titles at ITA Nationals

SNS Sports – Illinois' Kenta Miyoshi successfully defended his title at the ITA National Summer Championships, winning the men’s singles tournament for the second consecutive year. Having strong summer season, he secured his spot in the ITA National Summer Championships after he won an ITA Summer Masters Series event in Madison, Wis., in July.

Surviving his semifinal match against No. 3 seed Lucas Brown from Texas 6-3, 6-7, 10-2, the Japanese native punched his ticket to the title match for a rematch against Florida State’s Jamie Connel.

Kenta Miyoshi tosses the ball for a serve at the 2023 Illini Open. The Fighting Illini junior won his second straight ITA National Summer Championship title on Tuesday.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

In 2023, summoning every ounce of tenacity he could muster, Miyoshi won their earlier meeting 2-6, 6-4, 10-7. On Tuesday, took command early and delivered a 6-3, 6-3, decision over Connel on Tuesday at the Leftwich Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Memphis.

During his sophomore season, all eyes will be on the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar who ended with a 27-9 record in singles and 18-10 record in doubles. Miyoshi finished his sophomore year undefeated in singles during Big Ten play with a 6-0 record and ended the 2023-24 season with a 10-match undefeated streak in doubles.

Illini tennis player wins title at Battle of the Bay

SNS – Despite dropping his opening singles match, Illinois junior Kenta Miyoshi bounced back with four consecutive victories over ranked opponents to win the singles consolation bracket at Battle In The Bay in San Francisco a week ago today. The No. 42-ranked player in the ITA singles rankings, Miyoshi recorded straight-set decisions in each of those four wins to finish the weekend with a 4-1 record.

Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks

Illinois tennis player Kenta Miyoshi lines up a backhand shot at the 2023 Illini Open. He is ranked 42 in the ITA heading into his junior season.

Miyoshi teamed up with Illini senior Karlis Ozolins in doubles play, while Ozolins also took part in singles action during the four-day event. Unfortunately, the Illini duo fell in straight sets in their opening singles matches. Miyoshi suffered a two-set defeat to Arizona's Zoran Ludoski, 6-4, 6-3.

Meanwhile, Ozolins battled but came up short 6-4, 6-2, in his match to UC Santa Barbara's Dominique Rolland.

Competing in the consolation singles bracket, Miyoshi picked up his first singles win of the season with a 6-2, 6-3 decision over No. 103 Maxi Homberg of Pepperdine.

A day later, he earned his second-ranked win of the weekend with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Spaniard Pedro Vives. Vives ranked No. 37 and a senior at Texas Christian University, completed high school at Rafa Nadal Academy.

One victory away from the consolation finals, Miyoshi took care of business against Arizona's Casper Christensen in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5.

After taking the first set 7-5 against Savriyan Danilov, the Illinois junior dominated the second set to win the title with a 6-2 finish over the San Diego State graduate student from Moscow.

Soaked but Successful: Ryan Dickerson sweats it out for a spot in the semifinals at the Neitzel Family Open

Ryan Dickerson prepares to serve against Kenta Miyoshi during their first-round tennis match

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Sweat pours from Ryan Dickerson’s face during his first-round match against Kenta Miyoshi on Wednesday. Dickerson said he typically changes footwear twice per match, but during the three-and-a-half-hour battle with the Fighting Illini’s top player, he changed his footwear kit four times.

CHAMPAIGN - By the end of Friday morning’s quarterfinal, Ryan Dickerson was soaked, down to his third pair of shoes, and one step closer to a title.

The 28-year-old New Jersey native advanced to the semifinals of the Neitzel Family Open at Atkins Tennis Center after opponent Matthew Forbes retired midway through the second set due to a leg injury. Dickerson led 6-1, 3-0 at the time, having worn down the young Michigan State standout with a steady dose of pressure and precision.

“I actually played Matt before,” Dickerson said, referencing a three-set loss to Forbes in February at the Palm Coast Open. “He's a young guy, upcoming talent. He's going to be good.”

This time, it was Dickerson who dictated. Knowing Forbes’ weapons—particularly his serve and athleticism—Dickerson entered the match with a clear strategy: neutralize the serve, extend rallies, and wait for the right moment to strike.

“I had to be sharp with my offense and patient aggressive,” he said. “I didn’t want him to be on offense. I did a good job today getting into a lot of rallies.”

The plan worked. Forbes called a medical timeout late in the first set to treat a nagging leg injury, but after brief attention from a trainer and playing three more games, he was unable to continue.

Ranked No. 185 in the ITF and No. 1120 in the ATP, Dickerson improved his career record to 95-66. Forbes, ranked 2143 in the ITF, fell to 6-10 on the year.

While Dickerson’s tactical edge helped him win the match, his real opponent might’ve been the oppressive Central Illinois heat.

A self-described “massive sweater,” Dickerson came prepared with no fewer than five full “shoe kits” laid out courtside—each containing dry socks, fresh shoes, and ankle braces. It’s a system born of necessity.

“I usually need, like, two per match on average,” he said. “But here, it’s been unique. I’m sweating through shoes. I’m leaking water through my shoes to the court and it’s slipping as if it has just rained.”

During his opening-round match against Kenta Miyoshi, the University of Illinois' top player, Dickerson used all five kits and his original pair in a marathon 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 win that stretched more than three and a half hours.

“The last couple of days, it has been brutally hot,” he said. “I’m physically fit so I can handle it, but the sweating is another thing. Changing grips, shoes—it's a little out of control.”

Ryan Dickerson's shoes waiting to be used

Three of Dickerson's five shoe kits, which includes a dry pair of socks, two ankle braces and dry shoes, waiting for their turn during his match against Forbes. Arriving in Chicago on Monday, the New Jersey native drove to a major tennis retailer in Ohio to pick three pairs of shoes before making his way to Champaign.

Despite the conditions, Dickerson’s game has held up. His veteran experience and ability to adapt—whether to a young opponent’s serve or the moisture underfoot—have him in position to challenge for the title.

That quest continues Saturday morning against top-seeded Paul Jubb, who defeated Kyle Kang 6-3, 6-4 to reach the semis. It will be their first career meeting.

The winner of that match will face either American Quinn Vandecasteele or No. 8 seed Blaise Bicknell of Jamaica, who play in the second semifinal following the men’s doubles final.

For Dickerson, the goal is simple: stay solid, stay aggressive—and stay dry enough to finish.

Illini advance, first-round results from the Neitzel Family Open

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Former University of Illinois player Alexander Petrov lines up a down-the-line shot during his match against Zeke Clark. In the sweltering late afternoon heat on Wednesday, Petrov, who had lost two previous matches to Clark, won the day at the International Tennis Federation-sanctioned tournament held at Atkins Tennis Center.

URBANA - One former and two current University of Illinois tennis players were on their home court at Atkins Tennis Center on Tuesday. The trio, each having to battle three-set matches, advanced to Wednesday's second-round competition at the Neitzel Family Open.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Karlis Ozolins stays in the point against Andre Ilagan as an afternoon storm rolls in toward Atkins Tennis Center. After a two-hour rain delay Ozolins fell 6-3, 7-5.

In an alumni match, Alexander Petrov took down Illinois assistant tennis coach Zeke Clark in a grueling three-setter, 5-7, 6-2, 6-0. Despite the loss, Clark still owns the series between the two former Big Ten players at the pro level, 2-1.

William Mroz, who enters his senior year at Illinois, defeated Canadian Dan Martin in a marathon match 6(2)-7, 6-2, 6-1.

Later, Kenta Miyoshi dropped his first set 6-3 and then took the next two, 7-6(5), 6-4.

The third installment of the Neitzel Family Open has a total purse of $25,000. The week-long, ITF-sanctioned event has attracted young players from all over the world.

Below are the complete results from the tournament's first round.

Main Draw Results ~
Tyler Zink def Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez 6(5)-7, 6-4, 6-2
Kenta Miyoshi def James Tracy 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4
Connor Bruce def Nathan Powwith 6-3, 6-4
Harrison Adams def Cleeve Harper 6-3, 6-1
Andre Ilagan def Karlis Ozolins 6-3, 7-5
William Mroz def Dan Martin 6(2)-7, 6-2, 6-1
Aidan Kim def Axel Nefve 7-6(5), 6-2
Gavin Young def Enzo Wallart 6-4, 6-3
William Grant def Ryuki Matsuda 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
Noah Schachter def Lucas Horve 6-3, 7-6(5)
Adhithya Ganesan def Alexander Bernard 6-3, 6-4
Cannon Kingsley def Gabrielius Guzauskas 6-2, 6-3
Duarte Vale def Kody Pearson 6-2, 6-1
Colton Smith def Kyle Kang 6-4, 6-4
Alexander Petrov dev Ezekiel Clark 5-7, 6-2, 6-0
Aidan McHugh def Emilio Gomez 6-4, 6(3)-7, 6-3

Illinois tennis team suffers first conference loss, Illini fall 4-0 to #2 OSU

URBANA - One would have thought the steady 20mph breeze at Shahid & Ann Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex would have been ideal conditions for Illinois to upset #2 Ohio State (19-2) on Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, the 70º day, blessed with plenty of sunshine, did not fair well for the Fighting Illini (13-8), who lost the home match 4-0 to Buckeyes in their second Big Ten match of the season.

Illinois' Mathis Debru celebrates after he and doubles partner Oliver Okonkwo tie up their match at 4-all. The duo fell 6-4 to Ohio State's Robert Cash and Justin Boulais. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

The key to OSU's victory and Illinois' demise was the basic 'brains over brawn' approach.

Physically, Ohio State's roster, compared pound-for-pound, did not measure up to the lightning quick, ball-bashing, uberfit Illinois squad.

"We have the student athletes to get the job done," head coach Brad Dancer said, clearly disappointed of the team's performance after the match. "It was evident today we are not in the mindset to take control of the Big Ten. Tennis matches are like prize fights – you have to hit with your best and you have to take your opponent's best. The difference is you can't get KO'd."

The sustained wind out of the south played havoc for both squads. Typical low-percentage shots that Illini players make routinely missed wide far too often. Groundstokes tended to stay a loft too long, only to bounce a foot or two out of bounds.

Across all six courts during singles, the Buckeyes adjusted their style of play and stopped trying to slug it out toe-to-toe with the Illini. OSU opted for a new strategy focused on keeping the ball in play, while Illinois kept going after the big shots and settling more often than not unforced errors.

The tactical change worked. Playing smart tennis, OSU's JJ Tracy soundedly defeated Illinois' William Mroz, 6-1, 6-2. Minutes later, Mroz' teammate, Nic Meister, was packing his racquet bag after falling Jack Anthrop, 6-2, 6-1.

"So you walk on the court and start punching and start defending and you have to get used to getting punched in the gut, and punching back and realize this is tennis. It doesn't go away, so get comfortable fighting and being tough. When this team is able to consistently do that we will have a great squad. Until we can be consistent in that then we are what we are."

Right: Oliver Okonkwo chases a ball off the court during his #2 Doubles match with partner Mathis Debru. Left: Junior Hunter Heck returns a serve to his backhand during his doubles match with Karlis Ozolins. The pair was trailing 5-4 in their #1 Doubles match against OSU's Andrew Lutschaunig and James Trotter when play was ended after the Illini recorded losses on the #2 and #3 doubles courts. Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

The remaining four singles matches went to a third set tie-break. Despite down 3-0 on the north scoreboard, Illinois still had a chance to engineer an upset until Ohio State's James Trotter, who forced the breaker after taking the second set 6-3, sealed the team victory with his third set 6-2 win over Illinois' Alex Petrov. Petrov won the opening set between the pair 6-4.

Earlier, in doubles competition Alex Petrov and Kenta Miyoshi were the first shake hands after dropping the match to OSU's Cannon Kingsley and JJ Tracy, 6-2. Then, with a stroke of luck, Buckeyes Robert Cash and Justin Boulais slid by Oliver Okonkwo who partnered with Mathis Debru in a dramatic 6-4 finish to secure the doubles point.

This weekend the Fighting Illini men's tennis team are on a two-match road trip to face Purdue University on Friday and then head south to Bloomingon, Indiana, for another conference match against Indiana University on Sunday.

BOX SCORE

Ohio State 4, Illinois 0

Doubles
1. #49 Hunter Heck/Karlis Ozolins (ILL) vs. #7 Andrew Lutschaunig/James Trotter (OSU) 4-5, unfinished
2. #36 Robert Cash/Justin Boulais (OSU) def. #56 Oliver Okonkwo/Mathis Debru (ILL) 6-4
3. Cannon Kingsley/JJ Tracy (OSU) def. Alex Petrov/Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) 6-2

Singles
1. #33 Karlis Ozolins (ILL) vs. #2 Cannon Kingsley (OSU) 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 4-4, unfinished
2. Hunter Heck (ILL) vs. Justin Boulais (OSU) 2-6, 6-4, 5-1, unfinished
3. #25 James Trotter (OSU) def. Alex Petrov (ILL) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. #15 JJ Tracy (OSU) def. William Mroz (ILL) 6-1, 6-2
5. Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) vs. Alexander Bernard (OSU) 6-3, 5-7, 4-3, unfinished
6. Jack Anthrop (OSU) def. Nic Meister (ILL) 6-2, 6-1

Over 200 spectators enjoyed the warmest day yet this spring watching the Illini battle OSU at Atkins Tennis Center. The Illinois team plays at home next on April 14 for Mom's Day and again April 16 for Senior Day. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Illini men's tennis falls to Oklahoma in NCAA First Round

The Illini’s 18th NCAA Tournament appearance ends in Fort Worth with a 4-0 loss to nationally ranked Oklahoma

FORT WORTH, Texas — Illinois’ postseason run came to a quiet close Friday afternoon as the Illini fell 4-0 to No. 24 Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament First Round at TCU’s Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center.

In their 18th NCAA appearance under longtime head coach Brad Dancer, the Illini (15-12) found themselves outmatched by a seasoned Sooners squad that controlled key moments in both doubles and singles play.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

University of Illinois tennis player Tyler Bowers rips a forehand shot during the Neitzel Family Open in 2024. The red-shirt sophomore from Bloomington fell in postseason singles play to Oklahoma's Kholo Montsi, 6-4, 6-4.

Oklahoma took the early lead after securing the doubles point with victories on Courts 1 and 3. Illinois did notch a bright spot at No. 2 doubles, where Kenta Miyoshi and Max Mroz earned a 6-3 win over OU’s Kholo Montsi and Luis Alvarez, improving their record to 3-1 as a duo. But it wasn’t enough to shift momentum.

In singles play, the Sooners methodically closed out the match with straight-set wins on Courts 5, 3, and 2 to seal the shutout. Alejandro Melero set the tone with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Mathis Debru at No. 5 singles. That was followed by Alvarez’s 6-4, 6-2 decision over Zach Viiala at No. 3, and Montsi’s 6-4, 6-4 win against Tyler Bowers at No. 2 to officially clinch the match.

The Illini showed signs of life on the remaining courts, but play was suspended once the match was decided. Miyoshi, ranked No. 12 nationally, was locked in a third set against Oklahoma’s Oscar Lacides at No. 1 singles, while Jeremy Zhang led his match on Court 4, and Mroz trailed early on Court 6.

Despite the early exit, Illinois closes the year with a winning record and continues to build under Dancer’s steady leadership, marking two decades of consistency and postseason presence for the program.

Horve and Illini tennis players in the mix for Neitzel Family Open title

Lucas Horve chases down a ball to his backhand

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Lucas Horve lines up a backhand shot under pressure during second set action against Benjamin George. Horve, a central Illinois native from Forsyth, defeated George 6-4, 6-1 at today's second-round qualifier at Atkins Tennis Center. The former Illinois standout moves to the main draw to face Noah Schachter, who has enjoyed a career-high ATP ranking of 727.

CHAMPAIGN - Sixteen matches are scheduled for the first-round main draw at the Neitzel Family Open. Seven current and former Illini tennis players are set to compete in singles play on Wednesday.

Kenta Miyoshi will kick the day off for the Illinois Family at 10 am, facing James Tracy. Ranked 898 by the ATP, Miyoshi looks to improve on his professional record of 31-22.

Senior Karlis Ozolins from Latvia will be heading to the baseline with his blazing flat serves on the same court, looking to upset fourth-seed Andre Ilagan at around 11:30 am. Meanwhile, on Court N5 around the same time, Gabrielius Guzauskas, who will also suit up for the Illini for one more season, will be squaring off with third-seeded Cannon Kingsley.

One of the four 1 pm bouts features two former Illini, Alex Petrov and Zeke Clark. The pair have met twice on the pro circuit with the elder Clark owning the series, 2-0.

Two more current Illinois tennis players, Lucas Horve and William Mroz, are scheduled to play at around 2:30 pm. Unranked Mroz, who advanced through the qualifiers, will face ATP veteran Dan Martin in their first career meeting. Martin, a 25-year-old Canadian, has achieved 61 wins against 56 losses in his eight-year journey as a professional player.

A recent University of Illinois graduate, Horve, who is unranked, will face Noah Schachter, with a 7-9 record this season.

Below is Wednesday's order of play at Atkins Tennis Center. Admission and parking are free for the public at the outdoor event.