MOBILE, Ala. – Senior Tuki Jacobs (Windhoek, Namibia) defeated Ritchie Kruunenberg of Alabama 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the round of 32 at the USTA/ITA Southern Regional Championships Friday.

"Tuki dominated his opponent in the second round," said USA head coach Nick Brochu. "He was hitting his forehand very big and dictated every rally."

In doubles, Jacobs and senior Juan Cruz Soria (San Juan, Argentina) dropped Alabama-Birmingham's Kenton Parton and Anru Fourie 8-3 in the round of 32. Senior Pierre Noyon (Oye-Plage, France) and freshman Clement Marzol (Toulouse, France) won 8-2 over Jacksonville State's Felix Morik and Andres Gomez, before falling to Osama Mazen and Matthew Rossouw of Alabama 8-5.

"Doubles was good," Brochu said. "We competed well. Tuki and Juan Cruz were solid and advanced in the draw. Pierre and Clement did well for their first time playing together."

In the round of 128 for singles, the Jags went 4-0. Sophomore Lucas Gonzalez (Chateauroux, France) bested Mikhail Esipov of Southern Miss 6-2, 6-3. Marzol won 6-2, 6-2 over Jackson State's Shao Chun Liv, and Soria defeated Christian Coetzee of UAB 6-4, 6-2. Noyon came away with a 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 victory over Fourie.

"In singles, we started with solid wins in the morning," said Brochu. "Juan Cruz had an excellent match against UAB, and he played very solid in key points."

In the round of 64, Gonzalez fell 6-2, 6-3 to Auburn's Conner Huertas, and Sebastian Rey of Tulane dropped Soria 6-4, 7-6. Carles Sarrio of Auburn won 6-1, 6-1 over Noyon, and LSU's Jordan Daigle narrowly defeated Marzol 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

"I was very impressed with Clement's performance today," Brochu said. "He lost 7-5 in the third set against the No. 1 player at LSU. Clement was extremely solid but dropped the last three no-ad points of the match to see the win slip through his fingers. It is frustrating to come close to such a big upset, but I'm extremely proud of the way he competed today."

The Jaguars continue play Saturday.

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