May 28, 2011
Taube Family Tennis Center - Stanford, Calif.
Quarterfinal Singles Matches
MEN'S RESULTS
No. 1 Steve Johnson (1), USC, d. No. 4 Blaz Rola (5), OHIO STATE, 6-3, 6-3
No. 3 Rhyne Williams (4), TENNESSEE, d. No. 9 Bradley Klahn, STANFORD, 6-4, 6-4
No. 5 Michael Shabaz (3), Virginia, d. No. 8 Henrique Cunha (8), DUKE, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1
No. 45 Tennys Sandgren, TENNESSEE, d. No. 36 Marcel Thiemann, MISSISSIPPI, 6-3, 6-4
MEN'S QUOTES
No. 1 Steve Johnson (1), USC
"I thought I played pretty well. Today I felt like my mental focus was completely there all the way through. I served really well and a couple times I had a couple of chances to go away on my serve. I really fought hard and was fortunate enough to get an early break in the first and then squeak that break out in the second."
No. 3 Rhyne Williams (4), TENNESSEE
"I played unbelievable and I served out of my mind. I don't think Bradley [Klahn] came out too ready; I don't think he really liked the conditions out here today. Luckily for me, he was a little sloppy and missed some balls. He's a great guy; we've always been really good friends growing up. I know his game really well, he knows my game really well, so it was a fun match."
No. 5 Michael Shabaz (5), VIRGINIA
"Serving better, that was the biggest difference in the first set. I didn't make a high percentage of first serves. He kind of took the foot off the gas a little bit in the second set and gave me a chance early in the set, and I was able to break to get up early. It looked like his legs were kind of slowing down a little bit and I played a good third set so I'm pretty happy with that win."
Bradley Klahn, STANFORD
"Obviously, it was a tough match. I thought Ryan served well and that was probably the difference. I'm normally pretty comfortable returning, so that was tough on me. It was a little breezy out there. The way he plays, with a real good forehand, he kind of draws you into some errors. I never really found my range and started off a little sluggish."
"Dropping the first set doesn't really worry me as much. I was never really able to get ahead in a set or hold serve. I lost my serves early in both sets and thought that was the key. I was always playing from behind. Rhyne played well, he's a great player and best of luck to him."
WOMEN'S RESULTS
No. 1 Jana Juricova (1), CALIFORNIA, d. No. 25 Chelsey Gullickson, GEORGIA, 6-3, 6-0
No. 17 Lauren Embree, FLORIDA, d. No. 23 Mari Andersson, CALIFORNIA, 6-3, 7-6 (5)
No. 18 Nicole Gibbs, STANFORD, d. No. 3 Hilary Barte (3), STANFORD, 6-4, 6-1
No. 43 Stacey Tan, STANFORD, d. No. 49 Nina Secerbegovic, BAYLOR, 5-7, 6-1, 6-4
WOMEN'S QUOTES
No. 1 Jana Juricova (1), CALIFORNIA
"I was mentally ready to play her since I have never beat her. I had to be really ready, trust myself and trust my game. I think that was why I won."
"Of course because I have never beaten her it gives me extra motivation. I think we always have great matches, so I am glad that worked today."
No. 17 Lauren Embree, FLORIDA
"I got up 4-2, but then I backed up a little bit and played more defensively. Then I missed that overhead to go 5-4 down, so I really wanted to get that point so I wouldn't be down two set points. At five all, I played a good point and at 6-5, I tried to win it with a volley and that is what happened."
"She attacks when I give her short balls, but my defense was good today. She played well and I just tried to get as many balls back as I could."
No. 18 Nicole Gibbs, STANFORD
"I was pretty surprised at how well I felt. I think I just did all the right things recovering yesterday, with a message and an ice bath, so I was pretty much just ready to go. I had a little trouble with my left leg but nothing that inhibited the way I was playing. That was a really sad match to close out...It's always hard to watch your teammate go out if you are on the other side."
"I am looking forward to being in the semis. I think I have Juricova (Cal's Jana Juricova). I have never played her and it's a nice chance to play up again. She's No. 1 in the country and I am ready for it."
No. 43 Stacey Tan, STANFORD
"Even though I've lost the first set in a few matches, I have been to get a feel for the player and the type of game that they have. It helps me bounce back in the second set. Almost like a refocus, where I am starting the match all over again. I don't feel the fatigue on the court. After the first set, it's almost like the mindset is starting over and starting clean. Just keep fighting through."
"It feels amazing to be in the semifinals. Knowing that we are the last four players left in the tournament, in the nation. It's going to be another tough round but I'm real excited to play tomorrow."