May 14, 2011
| Stay tuned to www.gostanford.com's Countdown To The Championships for daily coverage of the 2011 NCAA Men's and Women's Tennis Championships in the form of feature stories, historical profiles, match previews, recaps and other tournament news. One of the nation's finest tennis venues, the Taube Family Tennis Center is playing host to its second combined men's and women's NCAA Tennis Championships, as the tournament's current format was introduced at Stanford in 2006.
In today's edition of Countdown To The Championships, the postseason rolls on with three matches. A men's second round match and two women's first round contests are on the docket. |
| "It's not very often that college kids get a chance to play in a venue such as the Taube Family Tennis Stadium. It's cool to look up from a match and see all this support, all these people who are passionate about tennis and Stanford. We are really lucky to play here, with state-of-the-art courts and scoreboards, a beautiful trophy room, awesome locker room, office and team lounge. I've spent so much time here it is almost like a second home, and I couldn't have asked for anything better."<> Senior Jennifer Yen. Known as the "glue" of the Cardinal women's tennis team, Yen started at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles on Saturday afternoon. |
| Sunday, May 15: Saturday's winners from the women's first round will meet at 12 p.m. in the second round on Sunday. Will Stanford advance? Monday, May 16: In addition to the matches, there are several other events, activities and banquets scheduled during the NCAA Championships. Stay tuned for a complete listing. Tuesday, May 17: Time to preview the NCAA Championships round of 16 field, focusing in on where both Stanford teams stand heading into the weekend. |
Men's Tournament Central | Women's Tournament Central
STANFORD, Calif.- No. 7 Stanford chalked up a 4-1 victory over No. 25 Washington on Saturday afternoon at the Taube Family Tennis Stadium, earning a berth in next weekend's NCAA Championships round of 16.
The Cardinal (20-5, 5-1 Pac-10) extended its winning streak to 12 matches, its longest run since an 18-match stretch back in 2001. Stanford also posted its third consecutive 20-win campaign.
Ranked No. 7 in the latest edition of the ITA national rankings but seeded No. 8 in the postseason draw, Stanford anticipated a tough match against conference rival Washington (18-9, 3-3 Pac-10). The Cardinal won the regular season meeting 4-3 in Seattle back on April 8.
Stanford locked up the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead. After Bradley Klahn and Ryan Thacher posted an 8-4 win at the No. 1 spot for their 39th victory of the year, the No. 3 duo of Jamin Ball and Alex Clayton clinched the point with an 8-6 triumph on court three.
Playing in his first career dual and fourth match of the season overall, freshman Daniel Ho contributed a 6-2, 6-1 victory at the No. 6 position to put Stanford in front 2-0.
Klahn followed with a 6-4, 6-4 victory at the top spot of the lineup, placing Stanford on the brink of clinching the match.
The Huskies received their only point from Kyle McMorrow, who delivered a 7-6 (6), 6-4 result over Ryan Thacher at No. 2.
With Stanford holding convincing leads in the three remaining matches, Alex Clayton provided the clincher on court three in the form of a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 triumph.
Earlier in the day, the Stanford women blanked Illinois-Chicago 4-0 in a first round match. The Cardinal now hosts Pepperdine on Sunday at 11 a.m. Originally scheduled for 12 p.m., the match has been moved up one hour due to impending rain in the forecast. A berth in next weekend's NCAA Championships is on the line.
No. 7 Stanford 4, No. 25 Washington 1
DOUBLES
(1) No. 3 Klahn/Thacher (STAN) d. No. 28 McMorrow/Nedunchezhiyan (WASH) 8-4
(2) Kildahl/Obenaus (WASH) led Kandath/Lin (STAN) 5-4, aban.
(3) Jamin Ball/Clayton (STAN) d. Bots/Schmidt (WASH) 8-6
Order of Finish: 1, 3
SINGLES
(1) No. 9 Bradley Klahn (STAN) d. No. 66 Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan (WASH) 6-4, 6-4
(2) No. 49 Kyle McMorrow (WASH) d. No. 46 Ryan Thacher (STAN) 7-6 (6), 6-4
(3) No. 71 Alex Clayton (STAN) d. No. 117 Martin Kildahl (WASH) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
(4) Denis Lin (STAN) led Tobi Obenaus (WASH) 6-1, 5-7, 5-1, aban.
(5) Matt Kandath (STAN) led Marton Bots (WASH) 7-6 (3), 4-1, aban.
(6) Daniel Ho (STAN) d. Max Manthou (WASH) 6-2, 6-1
Order of Finish: 6, 1, 2, 3
by Brian Risso, Athletics Communications/Media Relations. Special thanks to Matt Ersted.