Daniel Phillips delivered a captain’s performance in Oklahoma, powering Tulane to a gritty 4-1 victory over UAB in the opening round of the American Conference Championships.
Despite entering as the ninth seed, the Green Wave were forced to dig deep after a shaky start. Tulane dropped the doubles point following narrow defeats on the lower courts, even after a dominant 6-1 masterclass at the number one position by Phillips and partner Lance Nisbet.
The momentum shifted dramatically as the match transitioned to singles play. All eyes were on the premier court, where Phillips—a freshman who has rapidly become the heartbeat of the Tulane roster—faced a high-stakes rematch against Ondrej Valek.
The opening set was a grueling tactical battle, eventually pushed to a tie-break. Phillips demonstrated superior mental fortitude under pressure, claiming the breaker 7-5. With the wind in his sails, the young Bermudian dominated the second set, utilizing a relentless service game to secure a 6-2 win.
The victory clinched the match for the Green Wave, providing a vital confidence boost as they advance to a daunting quarter-final showdown against top-seeded Rice. For Phillips, it marks another landmark in an exceptional debut season, solidifying his reputation as one of the most clinical closers in the conference.
