Texas Tech Red Raiders’ Journey at the ITA All-American Championships
TULSA, Okla. – The Texas Tech Red Raiders’ dynamic doubles duo, Sebastian Abboud and Piotr Pawlak, showcased their skills at the prestigious ITA All-American Championships, but their journey came to an end on Thursday afternoon. Ranked No. 7 and seeded sixth in the tournament, the pair faced tough competition that tested their resilience and teamwork.
First Round Showdown
Abboud and Pawlak kicked off their campaign with a challenging first-round match against the No. 13-ranked team of Alex Chang and Michael Wright from California. The match began with the Red Raiders falling behind early, trailing 1-3. However, demonstrating their tenacity, Abboud and Pawlak quickly turned the tide, winning five consecutive games to clinch the first set 6-3. This impressive comeback highlighted their ability to adapt and seize momentum when it mattered most.
Tiebreaker Tension
The second set proved to be a nail-biter. After initially trailing 0-2, the Red Raiders fought back to tie the score at 2-all. They then surged ahead with a 4-2 lead, only to see California respond with three straight games to take a 5-4 advantage. The tension escalated as both teams exchanged points, leading to a tiebreaker after a 6-6 tie. In the tiebreak, California jumped out to a commanding 5-0 lead, but Abboud and Pawlak rallied to win three consecutive points, narrowing the gap to 5-3. Despite saving two set points, the Bears ultimately edged out the Red Raiders, winning the second set 7-6 (5).
The Deciding Tiebreaker
The match culminated in a third-set 10-point tiebreaker, where the intensity reached its peak. California initially took a 3-0 lead, but Abboud and Pawlak fought back to tie it at 3-3. The back-and-forth continued, with the Red Raiders briefly taking the lead at 4-3. However, California responded with four straight points, pushing the score to 7-6. The Red Raiders displayed remarkable grit, saving two match points, but ultimately fell short, losing the tiebreaker 10-8, and thus the match.
Consolation Doubles Match
Following their first-round exit, Abboud and Pawlak entered the consolation doubles bracket, facing another formidable opponent in the No. 47-ranked duo of Joshua Dous Karpenschif and Erik Schiessl from Florida State. The match began with both teams exchanging early breaks, leading to a tightly contested first set. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, Florida State broke their serve at 4-4 and held on to win the first set 6-4.
Refusing to back down, Abboud and Pawlak regrouped in the second set. They established a 4-2 lead, showcasing their determination and skill. Despite a late push from the Seminoles, the Red Raiders secured the second set 6-3, forcing a decisive 10-point tiebreaker. However, Florida State came out strong in the tiebreak, limiting Tech to just four points and clinching the match with a score of 10-4.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setbacks at the ITA All-American Championships, Abboud and Pawlak’s performances demonstrated their potential and resilience as a team. The Red Raiders will regroup and prepare for their next challenge at the Big 12/SEC Challenge, scheduled for October 4-6 in Waco, Texas. With their competitive spirit and determination, fans can expect to see more thrilling matches from this talented duo in the future.
Doubles Results
- No. 13 Alex Chang/Michael Wright (California) def. #7 Sebastian Abboud/Piotr Pawlak, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 1-0 (8)
- #47 Joshua Dous Karpenschif/Erik Schiessl (FSU) def. #7 Sebastian Abboud/Piotr Pawlak, 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (4)