SAN CLEMENTE, CA - Last month, Ammar Wazir graduated from the University of Illinois—Chicago with a biology degree. The ceremony acknowledged the commitment it took to go “all-in” in that area and set him up to attend dental school in the fall.

Now, the 21-year-old is beginning to reap the benefits of going “all-in” on pickleball, notching his most impressive win to date.

Wazir took down No. 9 seed Julian Arnold 11-8, 11-5 in the first round of the men’s singles draw at the Select Medical Orange County Cup presented by FitVine Wines.

He put forth an impressive display of speed and athleticism and found ways to hit his forehand from virtually all spots on the court.

The match’s defining moment, however, came from Arnold when a verbal outburst over net chords cost him a point in a tightly contested Game 2.

That exchange would help Wazir to eventually pull away and book his spot in the Round of 32, where he will face PPA Tour Australia star Mitchell Hargreaves.

Get to know more about Ammar Wazir below.