Tide?s Jung Advances at NCAA Championships in Straight Sets
5/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
PALO ALTO, Calif. ?? Alabama junior Joseph Jung's debut at the NCAA Championships Wednesday was an impressive one as he defeated Texas Tech's No. 56-ranked Adrian Prpic 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the second round.
With the win, Jung (21-16) becomes the first Alabama player to advance at the Championships since Max Belski in 2002. Thursday he'll take on last year's NCAA runner-up Pierrick Ysern of San Diego and attempt to become Alabama's first player to win multiple matches at the Championships since Chip Wade in 1974.
"Joe played well today," Alabama head coach Billy Pate said. "He was able to control the tempo of the match and play the way he wanted to play. Tomorrow's match with Pierrick Ysern will be tough and Joe will have to be prepared."
After claiming the opening set from Prpic, 6-3, and breaking serve in the second set to take a 6-5 lead, Jung found himself in position to close out his opponent in straight sets. Much like the opening set, Jung succeeded in holding serve to clinch the win and advance.
Wednesday's win gives Jung seven wins this season against players in the ITA rankings and is his 15th such win over the past two seasons.
Match times for Thursday's competition has yet to be determined, but fans can log on to www.gostanford.com for more details and complete NCAA Championship results.
