Thursday, 05/26/2011

ESCOBAR CRUISES TO SECOND ROUND OF NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Gonzalo Escobar moves on while Carvalho falls in first round action

 

LUBBOCK, Texas – The NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships got underway Wednesday in Stanford, Calif., as Texas Tech’s 26th-ranked Gonzalo Escobar cruised to an easy first round win, while No. 23 Raony Carvalho lost in the first round at the Taube Tennis Center.

 

With rain in the Stanford area, matches were pushed back with Escobar starting about three hours later than originally scheduled, but that had no affect on his play as he downed No. 51 Sadio Doumbia (Georgia), 6-2, 6-3.

 

“Gonzalo played a great match,” said head coach Tim Siegel. “I was pleased with how he defended and attacked at the right times. He moved especially well, which I think was the difference in the match.”

 

Next up was Carvalho who faced No. 32 Javier Garrapiz (Georgia). Carvalho dropped his first set, 6-3, but battled back to win the second set, 6-3. The third set belonged to Garrapiz as he won five-straight games before Carvalho got his first win of the set. Garrapiz went on to win the set 6-1 and clinch the match.

 

“Raony played a very consistent player tonight,” Siegel said. “Javier Garrapiz has been a great player for Georgia for four years. After winning the second set, I thought the momentum had turned for Raony but he played a bad second game, which set the tone after that. Overall, he did not play his best third set.”

 

Escobar improves to 29-15 overall this season and advances to the second round to play No. 21 Evan King (Michigan) on Thurs., May 26, at 12 p.m CDT. Carvalho finishes the year with a 26-4 record.

 

“Gonzalo has a great opportunity tomorrow and will play a great player (Evan King). This will be a good match for Gonzalo,” stated Siegel.

 

Tech’s 20th-ranked duo of Carvalho and Rafael Garcia will also begin doubles play on Thursday as they take on No. 8 Sebastian Carlsson/Neal Skupski (LSU). The time of the match will be determined later tonight or Thursday morning.

 

NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships

Taube Tennis Center

Stanford, Calif.

May 25, 2011

 

Singles – First Round (64)

#26 Gonzalo Escobar (Texas Tech) def. #51 Sadio Doumbia (Georgia), 6-2, 6-3

#32 Javier Garrapiz (Georgia) def. #23 Raony Carvalho (Texas Tech), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1