Oct. 6, 2008

TULSA, Okla. - The top two Husky men's tennis players got their fall seasons off in impressive fashion on Monday, as Patrik Fischer and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan won their first round qualifying matches at the D'Novo ITA All-American Championships, hosted by the University of Tulsa.

The All-American Championships is the first, and largest, of college tennis' three majors, with two qualifying draws that feed into the main draw. The two Huskies were entered into the second qualifying round, and must win two more times after their victories today to reach the 64-player main draw.

Fischer, ranked 56th nationally and seeded 9th in the draw, had an easy 6-1 first set win over Josh Zavala of Texas before leveling off in the second set, which Zavala took, 6-2. Fischer went up 4-3 in the deciding set, then took the next two games to win, 6-3.

Nedunchezhiyan, ranked 74th entering his sophomore season, dispatched Nathan Byrnes of Oklahoma State in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.

Next up for Nedunchezhiyan will be Roy Kalmanovich of Illinois, while Fischer plays Raony Carvalho of Texas Tech. The Husky duo, who were UW's No. 1 doubles team last season, will also take part in the qualifying doubles draw that starts Tuesday.

Washington Men's Tennis
D'Novo/ITA All-American Championships
10/6/08 - University of Tulsa
Michael D. Case Tennis Center

Qualifying Singles - First Round
(9) Patrik Fischer (UW) def. Josh Zavala (Texas), 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
(24) Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan (UW) def. Nathan Byrnes (Okla St), 6-3, 6-2