Velicka to Compete in Singles Quarterfinals at ITA Central Regional

TULSA, Okla. Oklahoma men's tennis player Marek Velicka is one step closer to claiming back-to-back ITA central region singles titles, as the junior advanced to the main draw singles quarterfinals on Saturday in the Wilson/ITA Central Regional Championships in Tulsa.

In the round of 16, Velicka defeated teammate Cale Planck, 6-1, 6-2, in straight sets. Velicka will face Maor Zirkin of Drake on Sunday in the quarterfinals round.

Senior Tommy Garrison advanced to the singles backdraw quarterfinals but dropped a, 7-5, 7-5, decision in that round to Eduardo Autran of Arkansas-Little Rock.

In main draw doubles action, senior Alexei Ivanov and Velicka claimed an 8-1 victory over the No. 3 seed team of Diego Camacho and Andy Connelly of Tulsa. The pair went on to defeat Will Gray and Federico Soriano of Tulsa in the quarterfinals and will compete in the doubles semifinals on Sunday.

Also competing for the Sooners was the duo of Garrison and senior Matt Long, who suffered a disappointing 8-2 loss to Drake's Jonathan Tishler and Maor Zirkin.

Main Draw Singles Round of 16
Marek Velicka def. Cale Planck, 6-1, 6-2

Singles Backdraw Round of 16
Tommy Garrison def. Tiago Espirito Santo (Wichita State), 6-2, 6-3

Singles Backdraw Quarterfinals
Eduardo Autran (Arkansas-Little Rock) def. Tommy Garrison, 7-5, 7-5

Main Draw Doubles Round of 16
Jonathan Tishler/Maor Zirkin (Drake) def. Tommy Garrison/Matt Long, 8-1
Alexei Ivanov/Marek Velicka def. Diego Camacho/Andy Connelly (Tulsa), 8-2

Main Draw Doubles Quarterfinals
Alexei Ivanov/Marek Velicka def. Will Gray/Federico Soriano (Tulsa), 8-6