Oct. 19, 2012

AUBURN, Ala. – Top-seeded Nik Scholtz and sixth-seeded William Kallberg advanced to the quarterfinals at the USTA/ITA Southern Regional Championships here Saturday with two wins each at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.  Scholtz also teamed with Lutjen, as the top seed, to advance to the third round of doubles.

In the third round, Scholtz, ranked No. 5 in the nation, rallied to defeat Mississippi State newcomer Stefen Vinti 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.  Later he beat Auburn’s Lucas Lopasso 7-6(8), 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals in his first Southern Regional appearance.  Scholtz will face Mississippi State newcomer Jordan Angus Saturday at 9 a.m.  

Kallberg downed Harrison Kennedy of LSU 6-3, 6-3 in his third round match and then topped Alabama’s Jarryd Botha 6-3, 6-3 in the fourth round.    He will also face a State player, fourth-seeded James Chaudry at 9 a.m.

Freshman Stefan Lindmark reached the round of 16 with a 6-1, 7-6(4) win over Auburn’s Lukas Ollert before falling to Becker O’Shaugnessey of Alabama, 6-1, 7-6(7) in the fourth round.  Senior Adrian Forberg Skogeng dropped his third round match to seventh-seeded Chris Simpson (LSU) 6-2, 6-3.

In the doubles, the nation’s second ranked duo of Scholtz and Lutjen downed Iain Sneddon and Cedric Rutsaert of Tulane 8-2 in the second round.  The other Reb duos lost their matches.  Johan Backstrom and Kallberg lost 8-3 and Forberg Skogeng and Lindmark lost 8-5.

Both Backstrom and freshman Zach Wilder picked up wins Friday in the consolation singles to advance to the third round.

Play continues Saturday with the quarterfinals of singles and the third round and quarterfinals of doubles.

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USTA/ITA Southern Regional Championships
Singles
Third round – Nik Scholtz (OM) def. Stefen Vinti (MSU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2; William Kallberg (OM) def. Harrison Kennedy (LSU) 6-3, 6-3; Stefan Lindmark (OM) def. Lukas Ollert (AUB) 6-1, 7-6(4); Chris Simpson (LSU) def. Adrian Forberg Skogeng (OM) 6-2, 6-3.  Fourth Round – Scholtz (OM) def. Lucas Lopasso (AUB) 7-6(8), 6-3; Kallberg (OM) def. Jarryd Botha (AL) 6-3, 6-3; Becker O’Shaughnessey (AL) def. Lindmark (OM) 6-1, 7-6(7).
Singles Consolation
First round – Johan Backstrom (OM) def. Patrick Eichler (TROY) 6-1, 6-1; Zach Wilder (OM) def. Blake Gregor (USA) 6-1, 6-2.  Second round – Backstrom (OM) def. David Vieyra (AL) 6-0, 6-3; Wilder def. Stable (TROY) W/O.
Doubles
Second round – Scholtz/Lutjen (OM) def. Sneddon/Rutsaert (TUL) 8-2; Conion/Kenyon (AL) def. Forberg Skogeng (OM) 8-5; Wilkinson/White (MSU) def. Kallberg/Backstrom (OM) 8-3.