COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Seventh-seeded LSU senior Michael Venus cruised to a straight-set victory over Louisville’s Austen Childs, 6-2, 6-4, in the NCAA Singles Championship Round of 64 on Wednesday at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center.
“Michael came out looking sharp,” LSU head coach Jeff Brown said. “It’s good to get through the first round in straight sets.”
Venus quickly posted a 6-2 mark against Childs in the first set to gain early momentum in the match. The 6-3 senior pulled ahead in the second set as well, but Childs threatened to push the match into a third-set as he fought back to a tie at 4-all.
Venus blasted through the next two games to take the match with a 6-4 mark. The victory pushed Venus’ win streak to six-straight matches and secured his spot in the Round of 32 where he will face San Diego’s Dean Jackson.
Jackson is currently ranked No. 52 in the Campbell/Intercollegiate Tennis Association polls and pushed his singles record to 17-4 after defeating Ohio State’s Justin Kronauge in the opening round of singles competition on Wednesday.
In addition to the match in singles on Thursday, Venus will also team up with partner Neal Skupski as the third seed in the opening round of doubles. In the Round of 32, the LSU duo will take on Kiryl Harbatsiuk and Anton Stryhas of Sacramento State.
Venus and Jackson will square off in a 10 a.m. CDT match with doubles following at 3:30 p.m.
NCAA Men’s Tennis Singles Championship
May 20, 2009
College Station, Texas
Round of 64
Michael Venus (LSU) def. Austen Childs (Louisville), 6-2, 6-4