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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Southern Intercollegiates
Rebel Netters Take Home Third Straight Tournament Title
9/26/2005 | Men's Tennis
Sept. 26, 2005
ATHENS, Ga. - The Ole Miss men's tennis team picked up its third straight tournament title of the fall, as newcomer Christopher Rea captured the Division II singles championship at the Southern Intercollegiates Monday at the Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Courts. In the championship draw, junior Eric Claesson battled the nation's No. 4 ranked player, Georgia's John Isner in a close match, before Isner prevailed.
After playing outside all weekend, the finals had to be played indoors due to inclement weather.
Rea, who transferred from the University of Southern Mississippi, capped off a successful weekend with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Prediag Burmazovic of USC-Upstate. With five wins this weekend, Rea improved his record to 8-2 on the year.
In the championship draw, Claesson and Isner, playing each other for the first time in singles, put on a good show. Isner, who won the NCAA Doubles Championship last year, gained two service breaks, and with his excellent service game, held to win 6-4, 6-4. Claesson gained a couple break points as Isner attempted to serve out the match in the second set, but the 2004 SEC Freshman of the Year fought off Claesson for the win.
Claesson, ranked No. 110 in the nation, defeated two players ranked ahead of him on Sunday, in more than six hours of tennis, to advance to his second final of the fall. In the quarterfinals, Claesson defeated 72nd-ranked Alex Schweizer of Auburn in straight sets. Against 81st-ranked Nestor Briceno of Florida in the semifinals, Claesson faced elimination, but won a second set tiebreaker to stay alive. After 3 hours and 40 minutes, he finished off Briceno7-5 in the third.
This year's Southern Intercollegiates showcased a strong field with 19 nationally-ranked players in the championship draw, including Ludovic Walters, who is ranked No. 2 in the nation and Isner.
"We are really excited for Christopher to win his draw, because the Division II singles also featured a strong field," head coach Billy Chadwick said. "The most impressive thing from this weekend was the performance of the entire team. Eric stepped up on Sunday to win two big matches on his way to the final, and Bram (ten Berge) made the semifinals.
"It was disappointing that Erling (Tveit) got knocked out early in three tough sets. He had a lot of chances against his opponent (Ryan Preston, Vanderbilt), but the other guy just had a very good day."
The Rebels will head to Tulsa, Okla., beginning Oct. 1 for the Polo Ralph Lauren ITA All-American Championships.
SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - ATHENS, Ga.
Division I Singles
Final - John Isner (UGA) def. Eric Claesson (OM) 6-4, 6-4.
Division II Singles
Final - Christopher Rea (OM) def. Prediag Burmazovic (USC-Upstate) 6-3, 7-5.
