Paul wins at ITA Championships

TULSA, Okla. – After being sent to the consolation bracket at the 2008 ITA D’Novo All-American Championships Monday, Vanderbilt junior Vijay Paul responded on Tuesday with a win.

Paul advanced to the second round of the consolation singles bracket with a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win over USC’s Matt Kecki. Paul was sent to the consolation bracket after losing to San Diego State’s Bartosz Golas, 6-3, 6-0, Monday.

Senior Nick Cromydas entered Tuesday on the opposite side of the spectrum from Paul. Having won his first-round match in the qualifying singles bracket Monday, Cromydas looked to continue his run Tuesday. Unfortunately, Cromydas was eliminated by Hawaii’s Dennis Lajola, 6-2, 6-2.

Cromydas and Paul also teamed up in the first round of qualifying doubles play on Tuesday. The duo was defeated by Rice’s tandem of Christoph Muller and Bruno Rosa, 8-4.

The ITA D’Novo All-American Championships is considered to be the most prestigious of all the fall college tennis tournaments. The singles draw is composed of 128 players, while the doubles draw features 64 teams. The top-16 singles players and eight doubles teams will advance to the main draw, which will begin on Oct. 9.

Nova ITA All-American Championships

Qualifying Singles
First Round

Dennis Lajola (HAW) def. Nick Cromydas (VU), 6-2, 6-2

Consolation Singles
First Round

Vijay Paul (VU) def. Matt Kecki (USC), 7-6 (4), 6-2

Qualifying Doubles
First Round

Christoph Muller