Baylor University Team Page
TULSA, Okla. – Highlighted by freshman Julian Lenz’s upset of the No. 1 seeded singles player, the Baylor men’s tennis team enjoyed a perfect day at the ITA All-American Championships on Monday at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.
“It was a very good day for us,” head coach Matt Knoll said. “I was really happy with how well the guys listened to the adjustments we wanted them to make. I think today will help our guys in knowing how they need to play going forward.”
Lenz, playing in just his second collegiate event, pulled off the upset of the tournament by downing Virginia’s No. 1 seeded and 49th-ranked Justin Shane, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the opening round of qualifying singles play.
“Julian got run over in the first set and made several really, really good adjustments to turn the match around,” Knoll said. “We asked Julian to work a little harder and lengthen the points and that allowed him to get back in the match.”
Marko Krickovic added to Baylor’s success in the first round by recording an upset of his own. The sophomore powered past No. 7 seeded and 59th-ranked Daniil Proskura of Alabama, 7-5, 6-1.
“Marko had a very close first set that was tied 5-5, but he did a great to close the match strong,” Knoll said.
On Tuesday, Lenz will try for a win over his second straight ranked opponent as he takes on No. 123 Nathan Pasha of Georgia at 10 a.m. Krickovic will face 107th-ranked Esben Hess Olesen of North Carolina at 9 a.m. Both BU players are now 5-1 on the season in singles play.
Baylor’s two doubles teams will start play in the qualifying doubles draw on Tuesday afternoon. Krickovic will partner with Verzaal, while Lenz teams up with sophomore Mate Zsiga.