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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
SEC Fall Classic
Sandkaulen to Play for SEC Fall Classic Title
11/5/2016 | Men's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Ole Miss freshman Tim Sandkaulen advanced to the championship match of the Francisco Rodriguez Draw at the SEC Fall Classic Saturday with two wins, including against one of the nation's top players.
"Overall I am really proud of the guys today," assistant coach Devin Britton said. "We had a couple of comeback wins. We bent but never broke. We have been preaching toughness, and they both showed just how tough they are today. Tomorrow they have another opportunity to go after it."
In the second round of the Francisco Rodriguez Draw, Sandkaulen bounced 49th-ranked Justin Butsch of LSU 6-2, 6-0 for his biggest win in his young career. Later in the afternoon, Sandkaulen rallied to defeat Jordan Belga of Florida 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Sandkaulen will face Thibault Cancel of Alabama in the finals Sunday at 9 a.m.
"Tim had a great day today," Britton said. "He brought a really high level to start the day and took out the No. 49 ranked player in the country in straight sets. You don't see that type of result every day from a freshman. This afternoon he also showed a lot of toughness coming back from a set down to win in a close third set.
"His opponent really played a good match, and I was very impressed with his determination. He dug deep and found a way to come out on top. I'm looking forward to seeing him battle it out in the final tomorrow."
Kraljevic got off to a slow start in his first match of the day against South Carolina's Harrison O'Keefe, ranked No. 96 in the nation, dropping a 6-1, 6-1 decision in the second round of the Jeff Robinson Draw. He bounced back in the afternoon to post a three set win against Joseph Guillin of Florida. After losing a close first set, Kraljevic dominated Guillin in the final two sets for a 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 win.
He will face Alabama's Spencer Richey Sunday at 9 a.m. in his final match of the tournament.
"Filip had a tough start to the day," Britton said. "I give a lot of credit to his opponent, because he really played a great match. Filip did a tremendous job of bouncing back and getting a great win this afternoon. He like Tim, also dropped the first set, but he regrouped and turned it on in a big way dominating the second and third sets."
For more information on Ole Miss Men's Tennis, follow the Rebels on Twitter @OleMissMTennis, on Facebook at OleMissMTennis and on Instagram at OleMissMTennis, follow Coach Hansson on Twitter at @TennisToby.
SEC Fall Classic
Jeff Robinson Draw
Second Round -- Harrison O'Keefe (SC) def. Filip Kraljevic (OM) 6-1, 6-1. Consolation - Kraljevic (OM) def. Joseph Guillin (UF) 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.
Francisco Rodriguez Draw
Second Round - Tim Sandkaulen (OM) def. Justin Butsch (LSU) 6-2, 6-0. Semifinals - Sandkaulen (OM) def. Jordan Belga (UF) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Players Mentioned
