Devvarman Sets NCAA Singles Tournament Wins Record
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TULSA, Okla. Somdev Devvarman (Chennai, India) set a new record for NCAA Singles Championship wins with his 14th career tournament victory on Thursday as he topped Clancy Shields of Boise State 6-4, 7-5 in a second match at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center. Devvarman also advanced in doubles with Treat Huey (Alexandria, Va.), defeating Dan Buikema and Mathieu Thibaudeau of Alabama 7-6 (3), 6-3.
Since the NCAA Singles Championship adopted the current 64-player format after separating from the team tournament in 1977, Devvarman has won more matches in the event than any other player. With his win over Shields, he broke a tie with the previous record holder, 2001 and 2002 NCAA Champion Matias Boeker of Georgia.
Devvarman’s second round match against Shields remained on serve until late in the first set. Both players held serve easily in the first eight games before Devvarman broke Shields at love to take a 5-4 lead. He held at love in the ensuing game to take the first set 6-4. The second set remained on serve to 5-5, although Devvarman fought off a break point against him at 1-2 and at 2-3. Devvarman took a 15-40 lead on Shields at 5-5 and converted on the second break point opportunity to take a 6-5 lead. He served out the match in following game to close out the 6-4, 7-5 win.
The victory was Devvarman’s 40th singles win of the season, marking just the third time a Cavalier player has reached that mark. Brian Vahaly had 40 wins in 2001 as he reached the NCAA Final and Devvarman had a school record 44 wins last year as he won the NCAA Singles Championship.
Devvarman will play Erling Tveit of Mississippi in the round of 16 on Friday. Tveit topped No. 9-16 seed Bruno Rosa of Rice 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 on Thursday.
In doubles, the top-ranked Cavalier duo went up a break midway through the first set. However, Devvarman was broken while serving for the set at 5-4 as the Crimson Tide team drew even, 5-5. The set went to a tiebreaker, which Devvarman and Huey won 7-3 to take the first set. In the second set, Devvarman and Huey had to fight off four early break points against, but held serve each time to take a 3-2 lead. The Cavalier team broke serve to take a 4-2 lead and held that advantage to win the second set 6-3.
The victory was Huey’s 41st doubles win of the season, tying the school record he set last year.
Devvarman and Huey will play Austin Krajicek and Conor Pollack of Texas A&M in the Round of 16 on Friday. The Aggie team defeated Omar Altmann and Andre Begemann of Pepperdine 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the first round.