Delloye Qualifies at ITA Sectionals; Harvard Sends Two to NCAA Individual Championships

The Harvard men’s tennis team wrapped up its fall season in North Carolina at the ITA Sectional Championships, where top collegiate players from across the region battled for national tournament qualifying spots. Senior Melchior Delloye became the second Crimson player this season to punch his ticket to the NCAA Individual Championships after advancing to the semifinals of the ITA East Sectional Championship.

The Crimson sent four players to the competition, looking to build on its strong performances at the ITA New England Regionals earlier this fall and send more players to join sophomore Benjamin Privara in the national tournament.

Delloye faced off against South Carolina’s Paul Barbier Gazeu on Saturday afternoon in the quarterfinals. Gazeu struck first, taking the opening set 6-4. Delloye responded with a 6-4 win of his own before carrying that momentum into the deciding final set, which the Harvard senior won 6-1, nabbing a spot in the upcoming NCAA Individual Championships.

“In the last match, I knew that the momentum could shift if I persevered and stayed committed to my game plan,” said Delloye. “I also really believed in myself in the final set, which helped get the job done.”

In his run at the sectional championship Delloye conquered opponents from some of the nation’s top teams including Clemson’s Edoardo Cherie Ligniere (6-0, 2-6, 6-3) in the first round, and against Cornell’s Felipe Pinzon 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) in the second, where he saved six match points.

“I was obviously under a lot of pressure during those moments, but my goal was to stay calm and commit to my game plan. I’ve played well this fall and have taken a lot of confidence from my training and matches, so I think that really helped me get over the finish line in the tight moments,” said Delloye.

With the win, Delloye advances to the NCAA Individual Championships for the first time in his collegiate career. He will join Privara in the singles draw beginning Wednesday, Nov. 19, in Orlando, Fla. This marks the first time since 2023 that the Crimson has had two NCAA qualifiers in the same season.

Delloye noted that he battled a back issue throughout the weekend but said he expects a full week of preparation in Orlando to be enough to settle in before tournament play begins.

In sectionals, the rest of Harvard’s contingent faced challenges in the draw. In the second round, Wake Forest’s Joaquín Guillemé defeated senior Valdemar Pape, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3, while Princeton’s Sebastian Sec topped senior Masato Perera, 6-3, 6-1.

Tomorrow at 9:00 am, Privara will face off in the opening round of the tournament against Arkansas's Jakub Vrba. Delloye will then take on Pepperdine's Edward Winter at 6:00 pm.