TULSA, Okla. — Junior Jan Zelezny of the LSU men’s tennis team advanced to the qualifying round of the Polo Ralph Lauren All-American Tennis Championships at the University of Tulsa.
Zelezny will now face Willy Lock of Northwestern Monday at 1 p.m. Zelezny will join teammate Danny Bryan who has already earned a spot in the qualifying round of the tournament. Bryan will battle Wichita State’s Goran Vukakilja at 12:30 p.m. Also on Monday, Zelezny will be paired with junior Kevin Dessauer in the opening round of doubles action as the Tiger tandem takes on Arnau Brugues and Federic Soriano of Tulsa
“Jan had some tough matches this weekend where he dealt with two left-handers,” LSU head coach Jeff Brown said. “He found a way to stay in the match today even though he wasn’t at his best. He had a great third set today, which gave him the win.”
Zelezny struggled in his first set against TCU’s Krigler Brink but bounced back to take the next two sets, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Sophomore James Cluskey had a tough outing against Cosmin Cotet of TCU as he was eliminated in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2
Cluskey will be back in action Thursday where he will team with Ken Skupski in the main draw of the doubles portion of the tournament. Cluskey and Skupski were slated as the No.28-ranked doubles team in ITA’s preseason rankings. Skupski will also compete in the main draw of the singles portion of the tournament, which begins Thursday.
“There aren’t going to be any big mismatches in this tournament and everyone will be extremely competitive,” Brown commented. “I think or guys are well prepared and looking forward to the challenge.”
Polo Ralph Lauren All-American Tennis Pre-Qualifying
October 1, 2006
Round of 16 Results
(8) Jan Zelezny (LSU) def. Krigler Brink (TCU), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Cosmin Cotet (TCU) def. James Cluskey (LSU), 6-1, 6-2
Qualifying Schedule
October 2, 2006
Singles
Danny Bryan (LSU) vs. Goran Vukakilja (Wichita State), 12:30 p.m.
Jan Zelezny (LSU) vs. Willy Lock (Northwestern), 1 p.m.
Doubles
Kevin Dessauer/Jan Zelezny vs. Arnau Brugues/Federico Soriano (Tulsa)