Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
All-American Tournament
Siwy Stays Strong at All-American Championship
10/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Oct. 7, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State senior Rudolf Siwy is one victory away from repeating a feat he accomplished last year, winning three straight matches in qualifying and earning a spot in the main draw.
Siwy and junior Mirko Zapletal were both victorious in Monday's first round of singles action, putting them one step closer to the main draw.
The Bulldog senior's next opponent was Anton Stryhas of Sacramento State. After a straight set victory on Monday, Siwy stayed true to form, defeating Stryhas 6-2, 6-3. Only one more opponent stands in the way of Siwy and the main draw of the tournament. That opponent will be No. 90 John Peers of Middle Tennessee State.
Zapletal faced off against Bram Ten Barge of Mississippi to begin the second round. The Bulldog junior got off to a quick start taking the first set 6-2. Ten Barge bounced back forcing a third set. Zapletal battled in the third and final set before eventually dropping a hard fought match 2-6, 6-1, 7-5.
"Rudy continued his solid play today," Head Coach Jay Udwadia said. "Mirko had a very close, competitive match, which could have gone either way."
The Bulldog duo of Siwy and Zapletal opened up doubles play at the ITA All-American Championship Tuesday. Coming into the day, Siwy/Zapletal owned a record of 4-1 in doubles to start the fall season, and would be matched up against Carlsson/Skupski of LSU. The `Dogs continued to play the way they did when they made it to the finals of the H.E.B. Invitational Sept 26-28 at Baylor University. Siwy and Zapletal defeated the duo from LSU 9-7, to advance to the second round of the doubles tournament.
In the second round, Siwy and Zapletal ran into a team from Nebraska. Siwy/Zapletal looked to have control of the match, leading at one point 6-4. Bendheim/Paar stormed back, winning four straight games to take the match away from the `Dogs 8-6.
Tejesvi Veerepalli continued singles action Tuesday with a consolation round match-up with Brad Cox of Kentucky. Veerepalli played strong throughout the match, picking up the victory 7-6(4), 6-4
"That was a sold win for Tejesvi," said Udwadia "It was nice to seem him play like I know he can."
The third and final round of the singles qualifying portion of the ITA All-American Championship begins Wednesday with Siwy competing for a spot in the main draw of the singles tournament.
Live scores and updates can be found at ITATennis.com
ITA All-American qualiying rounds
Tulsa, Okla.
1st round -- Singles
Rudolf Siwy (Fresno State) def. Boris Fetbroyt (Maryland) 6-3, 6-1
Mirko Zapletal (Fresno State) def. Andrew Orban (Maryland) 6-4, 7-5
No. 47 Clint Bowles (Florida State) def. Tejesvi Veerepalli (Fresno State) 6-1, 6-3
2nd round -- Singles
No. 48 Rudolf Siwy (Fresno State) def. Anton Stryhas (Sacramento State) 6-2, 6-3
No. 58 Bram Ten Berge (Miss.) def. No. 85 Mirko Zapletal (Fresno State) 2-6, 6-1, 7-5
1st round -- Doubles
Siwy/Zapletal (Fresno State) def. Carlsson/Skupski (LSU) 9-7
2nd round -- Doubles
Bendheim/Paar (Nebraska) def. Siwy/Zapletal (Fresno State) 8-6
Consolation round -- Singles
Tejesvi Veerepalli (Fresno State) def. Brad Cox (Kentucky) 7-6(4), (6-4)
"Join the State - Fresno State!"- The men's and women's tennnis teams will compete in the ITA Regional Championships Oct. 17-20. The men's tournament is being held in Berkeley, Calif. While the women's team will compete in Palo Alto, Calif. Check GoBulldogs.com for scores and updates.
