TULSA, Okla. – George Mason University men's tennis freshman Monil Lotlikar etched his name into the program record books at this weekend's ITA All-American Championships while becoming the first Patriot to reach the Round of 64 at the ITA All-American Championships.
 
Lotlikar dazzled over the course of his two-day run, winning a pair of matches over some of the top talent in the entire nation.
 
"I'm happy Monil got this experience early in his college career," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "He showed maturity and poise in extremely difficult moments. Monil has shown he has the ability to play at the highest level in the NCAA, and there is still a lot of room for growth. It's an exciting time for the present/future of Mason Tennis!"
 
Lotlikar began competition in the pre-qualifying Round of 256, where he matched up against Incarnate Word's Pietro Perego. Lotlikar dropped his opening set, 6-3, but rebounded to claim victory in the second, 6-2. In the third and final set, he picked up a key break to win the frame, 7-5.
 
Lotlikar then moved on to the Round of 128, where he faced off with Wake Forest's Luciano Tacchi. The Bangalore, India, product opened strong with a 6-2, first-set win. After Tacchi took set two (6-4), Lotlikar showed incredible resolve, taking the third frame 6-3 and advancing to the Round of 64.
 
In Sunday's match, Lotlikar drew LSU's Julien Penzlen. He battled throughout the match but ultimately dropped the contest, 6-3, 6-3.
 
His memorable run continued a remarkable start to the freshman's collegiate career. He is 8-2 in singles action through three events, including a flight win and perfect 4-0 mark at the Joe Hunt Invite.
 
Mason senior Rithik Sardana also competed in Tulsa this past weekend for the second time in his career. He drew NC State's Damien Salvestre and dropped the contest, 6-3, 6-3.
 
Lotlikar and Sardana will rejoin the full Patriot roster for next weekend's River City Open in Richmond, Va. Competition begins on Friday, October 7.