Tennis to Host USTA/ITA Central Regionals

Oct. 20, 2010

NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma will host the 2010 USTA/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men's Central Region Championships at the Headington Family Tennis Center and the Gregg Wadley Indoor Pavilion, Oct. 21-25.

“We're excited to host the biggest individual tournament in our region,” OU head coach John Harry Warden. Beleleu, OU's highest ranked individual, and Paval, the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, are both competing in the Futures of Mansifield main draw event, where they will compete in second round action Thursday. If they advance tomorrow, the duo will likely be out of the Regional Championships.

However, the Sooners will still have plenty of top-talent competing in the event as Oklahoma newcomers Siributwong and Mihov will take to the OU courts for the first time of their Sooner careers. Both individuals rank among the top 10 National Freshman/Newcomers by the ITA, at No. 4 and No. 7, respectively.

“This is a fun tournament and I think our guys can do pretty well,” Roddick said.

Qualifying rounds for singles and doubles will begin Thursday, Oct. 21 at 8 a.m. Eight individuals from the qualifying rounds will advance to the Main Draw.

Main Draw competition will begin Friday at 8 a.m., with the first two rounds of doubles and singles. The doubles and singles finals will be held on Monday, Oct. 25.

The singles finalists and doubles champion from each regional earn berths to the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships, Nov. 4-7, in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Winners and finalists from each ITA Regional Championship, plus at-large selections, will make up the singles field of 32 and the 16-team doubles draw.

The tournament will be held at both the Headington Family Tennis Center and the Gregg Wadley Indoor Tennis Pavilion. The two OU facilities boast 18 championship-surface courts, including six air-conditioned indoor courts, and seating for over 500 fans.