August 08, 2008
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Texas A&M sophomore All-American and fifth-seeded Austin Krajicek (pronounced CRY-check) is two matches away from the U.S. Open as he defeated 12th-seeded Rhyne Williams, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2, in the singles quarterfinals of the USTA Boys 18’s National Championships held at Stowe Stadium.
Krajicek, a native of Brandon, Fla., also beat 15th-seeded Steve Johnson, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, in the round of 16. He will face top-seeded Ryan Harrison of New Braunfels, Texas, in tomorrow’s semifinal match. The winner of the singles draw will earn a wild card into the men’s U.S. Open main draw in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., in late August.
A&M teammate Wil Spencer of Ponce de Leon, Fla., lost a hard-fought three-setter in the round of 16 to third-seeded Adam El Mihdawy, 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-2. Spencer, who was one of the top 16 seeds at the prestigious juniors tournament, posted a 3-2 singles record in his fifth trip to Kalamazoo.
In doubles competition, the top-seeded combination of Krajicek and Jarmere Jenkins of College Park, Ga., fell in three sets to fifth-seeded Ryan Thacher and Rhyne Williams, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, in the quarterfinals. Play continues through Sunday at Kalamazoo College.
Meanwhile, Texas A&M senior All-American Conor Pollock (pronounced PAUL-luck) closed out USTA Futures Pro Circuit play with a tough three-set setback versus No. 1024-ranked American Sheeva Parbhu, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, in the second round of the singles main draw in Milwaukee, Wis. Pollock found much success after playing in his second-straight summer on the tour as an amateur. The San Antonio, Texas, native, gained a singles ranking of No. 1237 in the world and earned his fourth career doubles title last month with Aggie teammate Austin Krajicek in Godfrey, Ill.