Sooners to Compete in Tournament at Tulsa

NORMAN, Okla. Five members of the Oklahoma men's tennis team will head to Tulsa on Monday, Oct. 3, to compete in the Polo Ralph Lauren Men's All-American Tennis Championships. The tournament, hosted by the University of Tulsa, will bring in the best collegiate players from across the country and will offer the first national singles and doubles titles of the season.

"I know my players, and they're very excited to be able to participate in this prestigious event," said head coach Paul Lockwood. "I'm extremely proud of them and this program for getting five players into the tournament."

Junior Marek Velicka, who is No. 35 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's preseason rankings, will compete in the main singles draw Thursday and is the only Sooner to bypass the singles qualifying event. Seniors Alexei Ivanov and Tommy Garrison, ranked No. 71 and 125 respectively in the preseason, will compete in the singles qualifying event beginning Monday.

The duos of senior Matt Long and Garrison and sophomore Federico Chavarria and Ivanov are slated to begin competition Tuesday in the doubles qualifying event. Chavarria and Ivanov earned a spot in the tournament Friday after another doubles team withdrew from the tournament.

Players and teams from the qualifying rounds must win three rounds before advancing to the main draws, consisting of 64 singles players and 32 doubles teams. Quarterfinal and semifinal play is set for Saturday, Oct. 8, with the championship matches taking place Sunday, Oct. 9.

The All-American Tennis Championships have been played annually since 1979. A number of professional players, including James Blake and Bob and Mike Bryan, have participated in past tournaments.

For live scoring during the tournament, visit tulsahurricane.collegesports.com.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners to Compete in Tournament at Tulsa

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