TULSA, Okla. — Seniors Michael Venus and James Cluskey of the LSU men’s tennis team posted a combined three victories for the Tigers on the first day of the main draw at the D’Novo All-American on Thursday at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.
Venus kicked off the day with a straight- set victory over Illinois’ Roy Kalmanovich 6-2, 6-2. Advancing into the second round of main draw, Venus squared off against Jamie Hunt of Georgia, who defeated No. 15 ranked Bassam Beidas of Pepperdine in the first round by a 6-4, 6-1 mark.
As Venus and Hunt squared off in the second round, Venus, 2008 first-team All-SEC, posted the first-set win with a 6-4 mark. Venus took the match in a heated second set, 7-6 (8), to give the Tigers their second win in the main draw.
“Michael did a great job of keeping his composure and continues to grow, getting stronger not only physically, but mentally as well,” head coach Jeff Brown said.
Venus joined with teammate Cluskey for the doubles portion of the main draw. The No. 5 duo faced Miguel Reyes Varela and Olivier Sajous of Texas. The Tigers once again were in a tight match, but emerged victorious, posting a 9-8 (4) mark to win LSU’s final match of the day.
For the next round of tournament play, Venus is set to compete against Stanford’s Alex Clayton, No. 4 in preseason rankings, on Friday at 10:30 a.m. Following his singles match, Venus will once again join teammate Cluskey for the doubles portion of the tournament. The No. 5 senior duo will take on USC’s No. 11 Robert Farah and Steven Johnson at 1 p.m.
D’Novo All-American Main Draw
Oct. 9-12, 2008
Tulsa, Okla.
All Times Central
Oct. 9
Singles
Round of 64
Michael Venus (LSU) def. Roy Kalmanovich (Illinois), 6-2, 6-2
Round of 32
Michael Venus (LSU) def. Jaime Hunt (Georgia), 6-4, 7-6 (8)
Doubles
Round of 32
James Cluskey/Michael Venus (LSU) def. Miguel Reyes Varela/Olivier Sajous (Texas), 9-8(4)
Oct. 10
Singles
Round of 16
Michael Venus (LSU) vs. Alex Clayton (Stanford), 10:30 a.m.
Doubles
Round of 16
James Cluskey/Michael Venus(LSU) vs. Robert Farah/Steven Johnson (USC), 1 p.m.