#20 Netmen Fall To #9 Host Georgia In SEC Quarterfinals
Georgia established an early lead in the match by looking very strong indoubles play. UGA's third-ranked duo of John Isner and Antonio Ruiz cruisedto an 8-1 win over Bulldogs Ivan Bjelica and Jose-Carlos Pinto at the No. 1position. At No. 3, UGA's tandem of Ricardo Gonzalez and Matic Omerzeldowned MSU's pair of Philippe Frayssinoux and Pierre Mouillon 8-3.
UGA gained a 2-0 advantage when the 17th-ranked Isner posted a 6-2, 6-4victory over State's Bjelica at the top spot in the singles lineup. Georgiawent up 3-0 with a 7-5, 6-3 triumph from Strahinja Bobusic, who downed MSU'sFlorent Girod at No. 5.
The final point would come at No. 3, where Georgia's 86th-ranked Omerzeloutlasted the MSU rookie Mouillon in three sets 6-1, 3-6, 6-0. All remainingmatches were suspended at that point. State had gained a one-set lead in twoof them.
"We're disappointed that we lost, but we gave a good effort against ateam that was really prepared to play us," MSU head coach Sylvain Guichardsaid. "Georgia is always tough to beat in Athens and we did a good job tosplit with them here this year.
"Despite this loss, we have had a solid season that is far from over. Weexpect to make the NCAA field and look forward to preparing to compete forthe national title."
State's fate for the 2005 NCAA Championship will be announced onWednesday, May 4, when the 64-team NCAA field is released. The Bulldogs arevirtually assured of receiving their 15th consecutive bid to the NCAAs . MSUis one of only seven schools in the country (Florida, Georgia, MSU, SouthernCal, Stanford, Texas Christian and UCLA) that have made 14 straight NCAAappearances. First-round play in the NCAAs begins May 13-15 at 16 sitesaround the country.
#9 GEORGIA 4, #20 MISSISSIPPI STATE 0
DOUBLES - #3 John Isner/Antonio Ruiz (UGA) def. Ivan Bjelica/Jose-CarlosPinto (MSU) 8-1; Luiz Carvalho/Florent Girod (MSU) vs. StrahinjaBobusic/Colin Purcell (UGA) 2-7, susp.; Ricardo Gonzalez/Matic Omerzel (UGA)def. Philippe Frayssinoux/Pierre Mouillon (MSU) 8-3.
SINGLES - #17 Isner (UGA) def. Bjelica (MSU) 6-2, 6-4; Frayssinoux (MSU)vs. #72 Ruiz (UGA) 7-5, 2-5, susp.; #86 Omerzel (UGA) def. Mouillon (MSU)6-1, 3-6, 6-0; Carvalho (MSU) vs. Purcell (UGA) 3-6, 5-3, susp.; Bobusic(UGA) def. Girod (MSU) 7-5, 6-3; Arnaud Roussel (MSU) vs. Gonzalez (UGA)6-2, 5-6, susp.
(numbers preceding names are current national rankings)