CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Melchior Delloye of Harvard men's tennis became the second Crimson player this season to punch his ticket to the NCAA Individual Championships after advancing the semifinals at the ITA East Sectional Championship this afternoon.

"We are all so proud of Melchior for qualifying for the NCAA Tournament," said Andrew Rueb '95, the Scott Mead '77 Head Coach for Harvard Men's Tennis.  "His dedication over the past three years – improving his conditioning, tactical strategy, and mental game – has truly paid off.  Congrats, Melchior!"

Delloye faced off against Paul Barbier Gazeu of South Carolina this afternoon in the quarterfinals in Chapel Hill, N.C.  Barbier Gazeu struck first, winning the opening set 6-4.  Delloye, however, responded by flipping the script and winning the second set by his own 6-4 results. 

The second set win proved to shift momentum completely in Delloye's favor as the senior would go on to cruise to a 6-1 third set.

In his run at the sectional championship Delloye has beaten opponents from some of the nations top teams including Clemson, South Carolina, and Cornell. 

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

Additionally, Nathan Blokhin continues to shine in his first collegiate season as he recorded his second consecutive top 60 win.  To follow up his defeat of the No. 25 nationally ranked singles player yesterday, Blokhin took down Sean Daryabeigi (South Carolina) in a gritty victory.  The first-year fell 6-3 in the opening set to the No. 56 ranked player but responded by battling to a tiebreak and ultimately winning the fight, 7-1.  Moving on to a 10-point third set tiebreaker, Blokhin bested his opponent 10-7 to record another ranked win. 

Blokhin will have another opportunity tomorrow when he takes on the No. 64 nationally ranked singles player, Lucas Andrade da Silva (South Carolina) at 10:00 a.m. ET. 

Results

Melchior Delloye (Harvard) def. Paul Barbier Gazeu (South Carolina), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
Nathan Blokhin (Harvard) def. Sean Daryabeigi (South Carolina), 3-6, 7-6 (1), 10-7