Wake Forest Athletics
Friday, May 8
Winston-Salem, N.C.
5 p.m.
Wake Forest University
4
vs
1
UCF
Top-Seeded Demon Deacons Down UCF, Return to NCAA Quarterfinals
5/8/2026 8:17:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Wake Forest will take on either nine-seed Oklahoma or eight-seed Arizona at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga. on May 14.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The top-seeded Wake Forest men's tennis team punched its ticket to the NCAA Quarterfinals on Friday evening, defeating 16-seed UCF, 4-1, at the Wake Forest Tennis Center to continue its postseason run.
With the victory, the Demon Deacons (33-3) advance to the national quarterfinals for the third-consecutive season, the fourth time in five years and the sixth time in program history, all of which have come since 2017.
Wake Forest continued to cement its place among the nation's elite programs, extending the country's longest active home winning streak to 49 matches. The Deacs also completed a second-straight undefeated season at home, a streak that dates back to April 2024.
The Demon Deacons' sustained success in Winston-Salem has remained unmatched nationally for more than a decade. Since 2013, Wake Forest has totaled 244 home victories, the most in the country, continuing to showcase the program's dominance at the Wake Forest Tennis Center.
Friday's victory also improved Wake Forest to 4-0 all-time when hosting an NCAA Super Regional. The Demon Deacons previously advanced to the quarterfinals on their home courts in 2019, 2024 and 2025 before adding another Super Regional triumph this season.
With the win, Wake Forest will now face the winner of (9) Oklahoma and (8) Arizona in the NCAA Quarterfinals at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.
The quarterfinals are set for May 14, followed by the semifinals on May 16 and the national championship match on May 17. Fans looking to attend can purchase tickets here.
Deacs in the NCAA Tournament
Wake Forest once again seized early momentum in doubles, securing the opening point for the 25th-consecutive match, and for the 33rd time this season, with wins on courts two and three.
Freshman Aryan Shah and junior Luca Pow added another strong doubles result with a win over Abderrahman/Lemire, 6-0, on court three. The duo improved to 7-1 together after also earning a victory in round two against Old Dominion. The win marked Pow's 93rd career doubles victory, moving him into sole possession of sixth place in program history.
Career Doubles Wins - Wake Forest History
Freshman Mees Rottgering and sophomore Kacper Szymkowiak continued their dominant season with a win over Hotze/Oliveira, 6-2, on court two. The pair improved to 14-0 together, the most wins by any Wake Forest doubles duo this season. Recently named Third Team All-ACC Doubles, the tandem has continued to play a major role in securing the doubles point throughout postseason play.
Wake Forest went on to claim four of six first sets before taking care of business on courts two, three and five to book its ticket to Athens.
First off the court was No. 125 Shah, who continued his strong form with a win over Nicolas Oliveira, 6-0, 6-3, on court five. After making his NCAA Tournament debut during opening weekend and clinching the first-round match against Navy, the freshman earned his 10th collegiate victory and his fourth in a row. His game has reached another level in the postseason, having clinched the ACC Championship match last month.
Moving the Deacs to within one, No. 38 Rottgering kept his outstanding freshman campaign rolling with a win over Wissam Abderrahman, 6-4, 6-1, on court two. The ACC Freshman of the Year improved to 16-3 on the season while extending his winning streak to five matches, four of which have come during postseason play. The ACC Tournament MVP has also continued to hit his stride late in the year, suffering just one loss since Feb. 15.
Shortly after the Knights got one back with a win on court one, No. 28 Pow clinched the match with a win over Pedro Rodrigues, 6-2, 6-3, on court three. The junior improved to 20-3 this spring and extended his winning streak to 15 consecutive matches, having not lost since Feb. 15.
Pow also stayed perfect in NCAA Tournament singles competition at 10-0 for his career while moving closer to multiple milestones, including his 32nd singles win of the academic year and the 98th of his career. Of note, he is now three singles wins away from cracking the top 10 in program history.
Wake Forest's Path So Far…
How It Happened
Singles Results
1. #86 Yassine Dlimi (UCF) def. #27 DK Suresh Ekambaram (WFU) 6-3, 6-4
2. #38 Mees Rottgering (WFU) def. Wissam Abderrahman (UCF) 6-4, 6-1
3. #28 Luca Pow (WFU) def. Pedro Rodrigues (UCF) 6-2, 6-3
4. Charlie Robertson (WFU) vs. Paul Colin (UCF) 7-5, 1-4, unfinished
5. #125 Aryan Shah (WFU) def. Nicolas Oliveira (UCF) 6-0, 6-3
6. Joaquin Guilleme (WFU) vs. Clement Lemire (UCF) 5-7, 1-3, unfinished
Order of finish: 5, 2, 1, 3
Doubles Results
1. #1 Delgado/Suresh (WFU) vs. Dlimi/Colin (UCF) 5-4, unfinished
2. Rottgering/Szymkowiak (WFU) def. Hotze/Oliveira (UCF) 6-2
3. Pow/Shah (WFU) def. Abderrahman/Lemire (UCF) 6-0
Order of finish: 3, 2
From Coach Bresky
"Once again we had an awesome crowd, the boys love playing at home. We knew they'd be fired up. Credit to UCF, they had a great year and they have a great team. We just did a great job on our home courts, we're tough to beat here. We're looking forward to the quarterfinals, obviously whoever we play will be the one of the elites. We get to rest up, take a couple of days and then go to battle." – Head coach Tony Bresky
Follow the Deacs
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
With the victory, the Demon Deacons (33-3) advance to the national quarterfinals for the third-consecutive season, the fourth time in five years and the sixth time in program history, all of which have come since 2017.
Wake Forest continued to cement its place among the nation's elite programs, extending the country's longest active home winning streak to 49 matches. The Deacs also completed a second-straight undefeated season at home, a streak that dates back to April 2024.
The Demon Deacons' sustained success in Winston-Salem has remained unmatched nationally for more than a decade. Since 2013, Wake Forest has totaled 244 home victories, the most in the country, continuing to showcase the program's dominance at the Wake Forest Tennis Center.
Friday's victory also improved Wake Forest to 4-0 all-time when hosting an NCAA Super Regional. The Demon Deacons previously advanced to the quarterfinals on their home courts in 2019, 2024 and 2025 before adding another Super Regional triumph this season.
With the win, Wake Forest will now face the winner of (9) Oklahoma and (8) Arizona in the NCAA Quarterfinals at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.
The quarterfinals are set for May 14, followed by the semifinals on May 16 and the national championship match on May 17. Fans looking to attend can purchase tickets here.
Deacs in the NCAA Tournament
- NCAA Championships (2)
- 2018, 2025
- NCAA Finalists (3)
- 2018, 2019, 2025
- Semifinal Appearances (4)
- 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025
- Quarterfinal Appearances (6)
- 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Round of 16 Appearances (11)
- 2007, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Second Round Appearances (19)
- 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Tournament Appearances (25)
- 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Wake Forest once again seized early momentum in doubles, securing the opening point for the 25th-consecutive match, and for the 33rd time this season, with wins on courts two and three.
Freshman Aryan Shah and junior Luca Pow added another strong doubles result with a win over Abderrahman/Lemire, 6-0, on court three. The duo improved to 7-1 together after also earning a victory in round two against Old Dominion. The win marked Pow's 93rd career doubles victory, moving him into sole possession of sixth place in program history.
Career Doubles Wins - Wake Forest History
| Rank | Name | Years | Wins |
| 1. | Skander Mansouri | 2014-18 | 117 |
| T2. | Cory Parr | 2005-09 | 108 |
| T2. | Christian Seraphim | 2014-18 | 108 |
| 4. | DK Suresh | 2023-Pres. | 98 |
| 5. | Steven Forman | 2007-10 | 94 |
| 6. | Luca Pow | 2023-Pres. | 93 |
| T7. | Trent Brendon | 2000-03 | 92 |
| T7. | David Hopkins | 2008-13 | 92 |
| T9. | Raul Munoz | 1998-2001 | 88 |
| T9. | Brent Ross | 1992-96 | 88 |
| T9. | Petros Chrysochos | 2016-19 | 88 |
| 12. | Todd Paul | 2003-07 | 84 |
Freshman Mees Rottgering and sophomore Kacper Szymkowiak continued their dominant season with a win over Hotze/Oliveira, 6-2, on court two. The pair improved to 14-0 together, the most wins by any Wake Forest doubles duo this season. Recently named Third Team All-ACC Doubles, the tandem has continued to play a major role in securing the doubles point throughout postseason play.
Wake Forest went on to claim four of six first sets before taking care of business on courts two, three and five to book its ticket to Athens.
First off the court was No. 125 Shah, who continued his strong form with a win over Nicolas Oliveira, 6-0, 6-3, on court five. After making his NCAA Tournament debut during opening weekend and clinching the first-round match against Navy, the freshman earned his 10th collegiate victory and his fourth in a row. His game has reached another level in the postseason, having clinched the ACC Championship match last month.
Moving the Deacs to within one, No. 38 Rottgering kept his outstanding freshman campaign rolling with a win over Wissam Abderrahman, 6-4, 6-1, on court two. The ACC Freshman of the Year improved to 16-3 on the season while extending his winning streak to five matches, four of which have come during postseason play. The ACC Tournament MVP has also continued to hit his stride late in the year, suffering just one loss since Feb. 15.
Shortly after the Knights got one back with a win on court one, No. 28 Pow clinched the match with a win over Pedro Rodrigues, 6-2, 6-3, on court three. The junior improved to 20-3 this spring and extended his winning streak to 15 consecutive matches, having not lost since Feb. 15.
Pow also stayed perfect in NCAA Tournament singles competition at 10-0 for his career while moving closer to multiple milestones, including his 32nd singles win of the academic year and the 98th of his career. Of note, he is now three singles wins away from cracking the top 10 in program history.
Wake Forest's Path So Far…
- First Round - May 1
- (1) Wake Forest def. Navy, 4-0
- Second Round - May 2
- (1) Wake Forest def. Old Dominion, 4-0
- Round of 16 - May 8
- (1) Wake Forest def. (16) UCF, 4-1
- Quarterfinals - May 14
- (1) Wake Forest vs. (9) Oklahoma/(8) Arizona, Time TBD
How It Happened
- Wake Forest seized momentum early in doubles play, as Shah and Pow broke out to a quick lead on court three.
- Court two was tied at 2-2 and court one sat even at 3-3.
- Rottgering and Szymkowiak earned a key break on court two to move in front, 4-2.
- Shah and Pow wrapped up a dominant 6-0 victory on court three to put Wake Forest one win away from the doubles point.
- The duo on two followed with a 6-2 win on court two to clinch the opening point for the Demon Deacons, while court one went unfinished at 5-4.
- Shah opened singles play strongly with a first-set victory on court five followed by Pow on three.
- Rottgering and Robertson made it four first sets for the Deacs while the Knights claimed the first on one and six.
- Shah was first off the court in singles, earning a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Nicolas Oliveira on court five.
- Rottgering followed with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Wissam Abderrahman on court two to move Wake Forest within one point of the match.
- UCF got on the board with a straight-set victory on court one.
- Pow clinched the match for the Demon Deacons with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Pedro Rodrigues on court three, sending Wake Forest back to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
Singles Results
1. #86 Yassine Dlimi (UCF) def. #27 DK Suresh Ekambaram (WFU) 6-3, 6-4
2. #38 Mees Rottgering (WFU) def. Wissam Abderrahman (UCF) 6-4, 6-1
3. #28 Luca Pow (WFU) def. Pedro Rodrigues (UCF) 6-2, 6-3
4. Charlie Robertson (WFU) vs. Paul Colin (UCF) 7-5, 1-4, unfinished
5. #125 Aryan Shah (WFU) def. Nicolas Oliveira (UCF) 6-0, 6-3
6. Joaquin Guilleme (WFU) vs. Clement Lemire (UCF) 5-7, 1-3, unfinished
Order of finish: 5, 2, 1, 3
Doubles Results
1. #1 Delgado/Suresh (WFU) vs. Dlimi/Colin (UCF) 5-4, unfinished
2. Rottgering/Szymkowiak (WFU) def. Hotze/Oliveira (UCF) 6-2
3. Pow/Shah (WFU) def. Abderrahman/Lemire (UCF) 6-0
Order of finish: 3, 2
From Coach Bresky
"Once again we had an awesome crowd, the boys love playing at home. We knew they'd be fired up. Credit to UCF, they had a great year and they have a great team. We just did a great job on our home courts, we're tough to beat here. We're looking forward to the quarterfinals, obviously whoever we play will be the one of the elites. We get to rest up, take a couple of days and then go to battle." – Head coach Tony Bresky
Follow the Deacs
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,2
#1 Singles Match
12
Yassine Dlimi / 0 (86/-) [UCF]
66
34
#2 Singles Match
12
Wissam Abderrahman / 0 [UCF]
41
66
#3 Singles Match
12
Pedro Rodrigues / 0 [UCF]
23
66
#4 Singles Match
123
Paul Colin / 0 [UCF]
540
71UF
#5 Singles Match
12
Nicolas Oliveira / 0 [UCF]
03
66
#6 Singles Match
123
Clement Lemire / 0 [UCF]
730
51UF
Order of Finish:
5,1,2,3
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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