Nov. 2, 2007
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Nittany Lion senior Michael James (Clifton, Va.) went toe-to-toe with No. 1 Somdev Devvarman of Virginia, but came up on the short end of a 6-4, 6-4 result in round of 16 action at the ITA Intercollegiate National Indoor Tennis Championships on Friday at the Racquet Club of Columbus.
James, who is ranked 35th in the latest ITA national singles rankings, battled his way into the match by holding Devvarman in check for much of the first set. However, the defending National Champion was able to squeak past the Lion senior, 6-4, to take the first.
James came right back in the second. The two remained on serve until the sixth game. With James leading 3-2, the Virginia standout notched a break and served to a 4-3 lead. From there, Devvarman served out the match, 6-4, to earn a slot into the quarterfinals. With the loss, James completes his fall season with a 15-4 record.
"Michael played really well today and had some opportunities, but that is not to take away anything from Somdev," said head coach Todd Doebler. "There is a reason why he is the No. 1 player in the country. For Michael to come here with the top 32 players in the country and get a win over a very good Baylor player should go a long way to helping his confidence. Playing the No. 1 player is a great experience for Michael, and hopefully he will learn from it. Now his fall is complete, and he is looking forward to an exciting spring."
Top-ranked Devvarman improves to 10-1 on the season. He will meet either Dalibor Pavic of Drake or Conor Pollack from Texas A&M later today in the quarterfinals.
The Nittany Lion men's tennis team will be in action next weekend at the Big Ten Singles Championship hosted by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Play will run from Nov. 9-11.
ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships Results
Singles Main Draw: Round of 16
No. 1 Somdev Devvarman (VIRGINIA) def. No. 35 Michael James (PSU), 6-4, 6-4