No. 41-ranked Japie De Klerk's run in the NCAA Division I Singles Championship drew to a close on Sunday as De Klerk lost a 6-2, 6-3, decision to No. 12-ranked Blaz Rola of Ohio State in the semifinals at the Atkins Tennis Center.
Action started outdoors for the first 20 minutes of the match before rain moved play inside for the second-straight day. De Klerk was unable to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the first set as Rola won the frame, 6-2. In the second set, De Klerk again was down early and ultimately dropped the frame, 6-3.
De Klerk, the ITA Central Region's Player to Watch for 2013, enjoyed a remarkable season for the Golden Hurricane, as the junior became the first player in school history to advance to the semifinals of the NCAA Singles Championship. In the process, he became only the second TU player to earn All-America accolades in singles competition. De Klerk also advanced to the quarterfinals of the ITA All-American Championships, and ends the year with a 25-12 ledger, with 14 wins coming against ranked opponents.
For all Tulsa Men's tennis news and information, visit www.TulsaHurricane.com. Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TulsaHurricane. Follow Tulsa Men's Tennis on Twitter (http://twitter.com/TulsaMTennis) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TulsaMTennis).
-TulsaHurricane.com-
2013 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Singles Championships
May 26, 2013 at Urbana, Ill.
(Atkins Tennis Center)
No. 12 Blaz Rola (Ohio State) def. No. 41 Japie De Klerk (Tulsa), 6-2, 6-3
