TULSA, Okla. – Sixth-ranked Mackenzie McDonald became the 12th NCAA Singles Champion in UCLA history on Monday when he dispatched top-ranked Mikael Torpegaard of Ohio State in straights in the men’s championship final. McDonald, a junior from Piedmont, Calif., broke Torpegaard at 5-3 deuce in the second set to take the match, 6-3, 6-3.

“It feels unbelievable,” said McDonald of winning the title. “I’ve always dreamed of this moment, and to actually have the trophy in my hands is pretty surreal. It’s just an unbelievable feeling and I’m really thankful to be here.”

Despite being broken by Torpegaard to open the first set, McDonald dictated the pace with four straight wins to take a 4-1 lead. In both of McDonald’s holds, he saved three break points to come back and register the win. Torpegaard interrupted McDonald’s hot streak with a hold of his own to cut the lead to 4-2. Up 40-30, the Bruin ripped a forehand winner to hold and extend his lead to 5-2. The top-ranked Buckeye held to stay in the set, but McDonald held at love to take it, 6-3.

“He broke me in the first game on a deuce point, but I kind of got myself together and made a couple more balls,” said McDonald of the first set. “I found my game plan as I progressed through the match. Points kind of opened up for me. I played pretty well into my strengths and took care of business. I played percentage tennis and played the way I actually would like to play.”

McDonald continued his momentum in the second set with two quick wins to go up 2-0. The opponents traded two holds apiece to give McDonald a 4-2 advantage. Down 40-0 on Torpegaard’s serve, the Bruin battled back to knot it at deuce. The Buckeye saved a break point to come within one. Up 4-3, McDonald held comfortably for a chance to break Torpegaard for the title.

In what would be the final game of the match, it was neck and neck as both players traded points. At deuce, a short rally ended with Torepgaard sending it into the net. The Bruin took the set 6-3 and captured the NCAA singles title.

“He’s a great player and has had an unbelievable season,” said McDonald of Torpegaard. “There were a lot of deuce games and I had to stay mentally tough. I think I definitely got the upper hand on more of those deuce games, but he really pushed me and I stayed there, because he easily could have gotten back into the set.”

McDonald ends the season with a 22-1 record at the top of the lineup—his only loss at the hands of then-11th-ranked Ryan Shane of Virginia (Feb. 09). The Bruin posted a team-high 20-win streak this spring.

“I’m sure Marty [Martin Redlicki] is going to be on me,” said McDonald of Monday’s doubles final later this afternoon. “I want this just as bad as he wants it. We want to get that dou­bles title. We’re going to do the things we need to do, go back to the hotel and get ready for that doubles match in a couple of hours.”

UCLA NCAA Singles Champions (12)
Jack Tidball (1933)
Herb Flam (1950)
Larry Nagler (1960)
Allen Fox (1961)
Arthur Ashe (1965)
Charles Pasarell (1966)
Jeff Borowiak (1970)
Jimmy Connors (1971)
Billy Martin (1975)
Benjamin Kohlloeffel (2006)
Marcos Giron (2014)
Mackenzie McDonald (2016)

Mackie’s Run to the Title
Round of 64 – def. No. 42 Ryotaro Matasamura (Kentucky) 6-0, 6-2
Round of 32 – def. No. 35 Quentin Monaghan (Notre Dame), 6-4, 6-1
Round of 16 – def. No. 13 Skander Mansouri (Wake Forest), 6-1, 6-2
Quarterfinals – def. No. 2 Roberto Cid (South Florida), 6-3, 6-2
Semifinals – def. No. 14 Joao Monteiro (Virginia Tech), 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
Finals – def. No. 1 Mikael Torpegaard (Ohio State), 6-3, 6-3