Jack Munro hits a backhand dink.
Jack Munro and Julian Arnold competing at the Select Medical Orange County Cup presented by FitVine Wine. PPA Tour

Arnold, Munro sweep Navratil, Newman to make quarters

SAN CLEMENTE, CA - Julian Arnold and Jack Munro defeated No. 8 seeds Zane Navratil and Riley Newman 11-7, 11-7 to book their spots in Friday’s men’s doubles quarterfinals.

The match was neck-and-neck up until a key development unfolded midway through the first game.

After earning a sideout at 6-7, the No. 12 seeds reeled off five consecutive points to finish Game 1 with all the momentum on their side.

That energy followed the duo into Game 2, where they jumped out to a 7-1 lead that would prove to be too large for their opponents, despite a late comeback effort.

 

The 20-year-old Munro was quick to credit his partner when all was said and done.

“Julian was hitting really good drives to get easier fifth shots,” he explained of the performance. “I also felt like my hands were on when they needed to be. As a partner, Julian just makes it easy. Not only is he supportive, but he also keeps me on track with strategy and is just a good human.”

The effort was one of the best performances we’ve gotten from the pair to date, and Munro says that he and Arnold are capable of finding that level every time they take the court together.

“I have my job, he has his job, and when we both do them, we click and good things happen,” he shared.

Up next for the pair is a clash against No. 3 seeds Matt Wright and Federico Staksrud, who beat No. 13 seeds Roscoe Bellamy and A.J. Koller 11-9, 11-9 Thursday evening.