Two Tigers Listed in ITA Preseason Rankings

CLEMSON, S.C.- Two members of the Clemson men’s tennis team were listed in the preseason singles and doubles rankings released by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on Tuesday. Clemson sophomore Alex Favrot and University of Tennessee transfer Igor Smelyanski featured in the top-75 for both singles and doubles. Favrot is ranked No. 64 in singles play, and Smelyanski is listed as No. 75. The new duo that will compete together and as individuals at the ITA All-American Championships on Oct. 1-4 in Tulsa, Okla., are ranked No. 45 in the preseason doubles rankings.

Favrot, a native of Lyon, France, enters his second season with the Tigers after a successful first-year campaign. As a freshman, he was named to the All-ACC second team. In 2016 Favrot went 16-9 overall in singles, primarily at the No. 1 slot for the Tigers. He was ranked as high as No. 90 in singles play during the 2016 season. In doubles play Favrot finished the year 15-10 overall, mainly playing with now graduated Luke Johnson. The duo of Favrot and Johnson finished the season ranked No. 45 in the country.

Smelyanski, a native of Beer Yaakov, Israel, enters his first year with the Tigers after transferring from the University of Tennessee. Smelyanski competed with the Volunteers for two years finishing with an 8-13 overall singles record and a 17-7 overall doubles record. In 2016 he finished ranked No. 117 in the country in singles and was ranked as high as No. 54 in doubles play last season. Smelyanski looks to bring debt and strength to the top of the lineup this year for the Tigers.