BAKER ADVANCES TO ROUND OF 32 AT NCAA TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP
TULSA, Okla. ? University of South Alabama tennis player Jack Baker opened up the 2008 NCAA Singles National Championship with a straight set win over 31st ranked Matthias Wellermann of Ole Miss, Wednesday. The 34th ranked player in the nation now advances to the round of 32 and faces 35th seeded Justin Kronauge of Ohio State at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center, Thursday.
“(Mattias) Wellermann has the strongest serve in the country, but Jack fought all match and made the points that counted today,” head coach Nick Brochu said. “It was a tough match because there were no rallies, but Jack hit the right shots at the right time.”
The match was a game of holding serve, as Baker had zero break points against the strong serving Wellermann. He opened up the first set with a 7-6 win over the Rebel netter, which ended with an 8-6 tiebreaker winner for the Jaguar. After each player held serve again in the second set, Baker proved victorious and moved to the round of 32 with another 7-6 win and another 8-6 tiebreaker victory.
“He was serving very well and usually my return game is one of my strengths,” Baker noted. “It came down to the tiebreakers and I was fortunate enough to be on the right end of both of them.”
“Luckily I played early today and tomorrow I am going to play free and play relaxed,” Baker added. “I play my best tennis when I just go out and play my game and I look to continue that tomorrow.”
The second round of the NCAA Singles National Championship continues for Baker, Thursday. Tournament results can be accessed at usajaguars.com, while live scoring and video are available at http://tulsahurricane.cstv.com/livestats/m-tennis/TulsaTennis.html
