The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Netters Advance to Sweet Sixteen at National Clay Courts
6/21/1999 | Men's Tennis
Sept. 26, 1997
BALTIMORE, Md. -- Martin Sjoqvist and Sebastien Lami advanced to the round of 16 in main draw singles at the T. Rowe Price National Clay Court Championships Thursday at Suburban Country Club.
In the first round, Lami defeated 28th-ranked Alberto Brause of Duke 4-2, ret., before taking out Auburn's Steve Huss (62nd-ranked) 6-1, 6-4 in the second round to move into the round of 16, in his first collegiate grand slam. Lami, currently ranked 58th in the nation, improved his record to 7-1 on the season. He has an opportunity to pick up another win over a nationally-ranked opponent, when he faces 43rd-ranked Cary Franklin of Illinois in the third round at 9:00 a.m. Friday.
Sjoqvist took a more difficult route in getting to the third round. He lost the first set in his match against Notre Dame's Ryan Sachire but came back to win in the third set tiebreaker 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(2). Then in the second round, Sjoqvist defeated Boise State's David Dalgaard 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Dalgaard played No. 2 for the Broncos last year. Sjoqvist will meet Francisco Rodriguez of Alabama at 9:00 a.m. Friday in the third round.
Vikrant Chada won his first match, defeating 34th-ranked Daniel Anderson of VCU 7-6(7), 6-2, before falling to Bryan Smith of Ball State 6-2, 7-5 in the second round. Chada posted a 3-1 record at his first collegiate grand slam and defeated two nationally-ranked opponents to improve to 6-2 on the year.
Ole Miss is one of only two schools to have more than one player reach the round of 16 at the Clay Courts. South Carolina had two players advance.
In doubles, Sjqovist and Lami were up a set (6-4) and trailing 3-4 in the second set to Chris James and David Myers of Purdue before the match was postponed due to darkness.
The two teams will continue the match at noon Friday.
T. ROWE PRICE NATIONAL CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS -- Baltimore, Md. MAIN DRAW SINGLES
FIRST ROUND -- Sebastien Lami (OM) def. Alberto Brause (Duke) 4-2, ret.; Martin Sjoqvist (OM) def. Ryan Sachire (ND) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(2); Vikrant Chada (OM) def. Daniel Anderson (VCU) 7-6(7), 6-2 -- SECOND ROUND -- Bryan Smith (Ball State) def. Chada (OM) 6-2, 7-5; Lami (OM) def. Steve Huss (AUB) 6-1, 6-4; Sjoqvist (OM) def. David Dalgaard (BSU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. MAIN DRAW DOUBLES
FIRST ROUND -- Lami/Sjoqvist (OM) vs. Chris James/David Myers (Purdue) 6-4, 3-4, postponed due to darkness.
