CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.  In just his first season of collegiate tennis, Methodist's Jordan Theron followed up USA South Athletic Conference Player and Rookie of the Year honors with an invitation into the 2021 NCAA Division III Men's Singles tournament.

The reward for those accomplishments was squaring off against the 32-player tournament's No. 2 seed, James Hopper from Case Western Reserve (Ohio) University, in the opening round Friday afternoon at Chattanooga's Champions Tennis Club.

Hopper, whose team was defeated in the national championship match of the team tournament on Wednesday, bested Theron in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2 to advance into the round of 16.

Theron held leads in both sets against Hopper, including a 4-3 advantage while serving for game point in the eighth game of the opening set. Hopper would rally back from a 40-0 deficit to earn the service break, then would close out the set with two more wins.

The Methodist freshman wasn't folding, though.

He opened the second set with a service break of Hopper, then held serve in a lengthy game two -- that included seven ad points, with Theron fighting off two game points for Hopper -- to take a 2-0 lead.

Hopper responded with a quick hold followed by a service break to square the match, 2-2, and would go on to take the next four games to clinch the victory.

Theron actually owned an advantage in the match with his serves, placing in play 67% (43-of-64) of his first serves and 86% (18-of-21) of his second serves.

Hopper's numbers in those categories were 57% and 85%, respectively, but he established advantages in break points saved and break points won that Theron wasn't able to match.

Theron had 11 service break opportunities in the match, only to have Hopper answer with eight saves. Conversely, Hopper had 10 service break chances and converted six of them.

Friday's result leaves Theron with a 12-4 record for the season, and ended a seven-match win streak by the first-year player.

Hopper will play Denison (Ohio) University's Tim Cianciola later on Friday for the chance to move into the quarterfinal round.