Cornell sophomore Rethin Senthil Kumar moved within one victory of an NCAA singles tournament berth Friday, beating Boise State’s Arsene Pougault 6-4, 7-5 to reach the ITA Conference Masters quarterfinals in Rome, Georgia.
The fifth-seeded Senthil Kumar has won seven consecutive matches, all in straight sets, according to [Cornell’s match report](https://cornellbigred.com/news/2026/11/6/mens-tennis-ita-conference-masters-east-sectional-championship-day-two-recap.aspx). His next match is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, against Wake Forest’s Luca Pow.
## Quarterfinal carries NCAA singles stakes
Pow is the tournament’s No. 2 seed and is ranked No. 19 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. He advanced with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Davidson’s Gregorio Hidalgo in the round of 16 after beating Howard’s Michael Major 6-2, 6-1 in the opening round of 32.
A victory Saturday would send Senthil Kumar into the semifinals and secure his place in the NCAA singles draw alongside Cornell junior Rodrigo Fernandes.
The NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships are scheduled for Nov. 17-22 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Georgia. Senthil Kumar already has qualified for the doubles tournament with Cornell junior Rushil Khosla.
- Ryndin, Orzechowski win singles matches as Cornell splits UB Invite opener
- Cornell’s Fouhety falls in three sets at ITA Sectionals, stays in consolation draw
- Cornell’s Senthil Kumar wins sixth straight, advances at ITA Conference Masters
- Cornell tennis players head to ITA sectionals, Conference Masters
Elsewhere, Cornell freshman Cezar Papoe’s run at the ITA East Sectional Championship in Charlottesville, Virginia, ended when he withdrew from his consolation match against NC State’s William Manning.
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