Two Sooners Move On In Qualifiers

TULSA, Okla. – Two Oklahoma men's tennis players, senior Florin Bragusi and junior Spencer Papa, advanced to the second round of qualifiers on Monday at the 2016 ITA Men's All-American Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Bragusi defeated Alex Sendegaya of Texas Tech at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center at The University of Tulsa to earn his third singles win of the season.

After winning the opening set 6-2, Bragusi fell behind 3-2 early on in the second set, but stormed back and won the final four games to take the set 6-4, and clinch the match.

“I thought Florin came out and played a really good first set,” head coach Nick Crowell said. “His opponent really fought back hard in the second set and actually got up 3-2. I felt like Florin upped his intensity with what he was doing at that point and really focused to pull it out. That's a good win over a really good player.”

At the Union High School courts, Papa was victorious over Zvonimir Babic of Ole Miss, 7-5, 6-1. Babic, previously ranked as the No. 1 junior player in Croatia, has competed in the NCAA Doubles Championships back-to-back years and he finished last season with a 15-9 combined singles record.

“Spencer came out and took care of business,” Crowell said. “He had a tight first set but got through it. He really upped his game in the second set and took it to his opponent to get off the court pretty quick.”

Papa begins his Tuesday with a matchup versus Thomas Laurent of Oregon. Laurent had a phenomenal freshman year for the Ducks in the spring season of 2016, going 17-6 in singles and 14-1 in doubles play.

Bragusi opens up play on Tuesday against UNLV's Alex Cozbinov, who won his opening match against Jarod Hing of Tulsa, 6-1, 6-1.

The two are hoping to join fellow Sooner Alex Ghilea in the main draw of singles at the All-American Championships. They can do that with two wins on Tuesday. The main draw will begin on Thursday, Oct. 6.

“Tomorrow is going to be a big day for us,” Crowell said. “We're trying to make a run at getting two guys into the main draw. We're really excited to see what we can do.”

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