Day 5 Court Report: Quarterfinals Take Shape After Another Hot Day in Cary
By: Walt Reese
As the Cary Tennis Classic moved into the Round of 16 on Thursday, the intensity continued to build both on and off the court. Another stretch of summer heat brought ATP and ITF heat suspensions during the afternoon, but once play resumed, fans were treated to another day of high-level tennis as the quarterfinal fields began to take shape.
One of the biggest storylines of the day came from Timo Legout, the Texas alum and 2025 ITA National Player of the Year, who knocked off defending Cary Tennis Classic champion and top seed Rei Sakamoto of Japan, 6-4, 6-3. Legout controlled play from the opening games, earning one of the tournament’s biggest upsets and ending Sakamoto’s title defense.
Qualifier Ozan Baris continued his impressive run through the draw with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Australia’s Blake Ellis. The 2022 US Open Boys’ Doubles Champion has now won four consecutive matches in Cary after coming through qualifying and has quickly become one of the tournament’s breakout performers.
Japan’s Jay Friend, a current University of Arizona player, stayed hot with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over Spain’s Alex Martinez, an Oklahoma alum. Meanwhile, local favorite Braden Shick, a Greensboro native, NC State alum, and 2025 ITA Doubles All-American, advanced to the quarterfinals after Wake Forest alum DK Suresh retired with Shick leading 6-4, 4-1.
On the women’s side, UNC’s Tatum Evans continued to make the most of her opportunity in front of the home crowd. After battling through qualifying earlier in the week, Evans upset No. 6 seed and former World No. 35 Madison Brengle in three sets, 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-2, to earn a spot in the quarterfinals.
Another local standout, NC State’s Mia Slama, also delivered one of the day’s biggest wins, defeating No. 5 seed Cadence Brace of Canada 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final eight. No. 2 seed Lucrezia Stefanini of Italy, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 99, continued her steady run with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Japan’s Haruka Kaji.
Men’s doubles also got underway on Thursday as top-seeded Australians Finn Reynolds and James Watt advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Alafia Ayeni and Ethan Cook. The No. 2 seeded team of Pruchya Isaro and Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha edged NC State wildcards Jules Leroux and William Manning 7-5, 7-5, while fourth seeds Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow defeated Australians Blake Bayldon and Blake Ellis 6-4, 7-6(4).
Women’s doubles also began Thursday. UNC teammates Reese Brantmeier and Alanis Hamilton opened their tournament with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory to advance. Fellow Tar Heels Susanna Maltby and Maddy Zampardo were defeated by the experienced team of Hiroko Kuwata of Japan and Ankita Raina of India, 6-4, 6-3.
Quarterfinal Friday is now set, with just eight players remaining in each singles draw and championship weekend quickly approaching. With the level of play continuing to rise and the draws becoming more competitive each round, fans can look forward to some of the best tennis of the week at Cary Tennis Park. Due to the extreme heat, matches will begin on Friday, July 3, at 9:00 a.m. to help players get on court before the hottest part of the day. Fans are encouraged to check the tournament website frequently for any weather-related updates. For schedules, draws, and ticket information, visit https://carytennisclassic.com/ or download the new Cary Tennis Classic App.
