Texas A&M
ITA National Indoor Championships
Krajicek and Dadamo shine at USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships
Nov 04, 2010 | Men's Tennis
Nov. 4, 2010
FLUSHING, New York--Texas A&M senior All-Americans Austin Krajicek and Jeff Dadamo made their mark in the opening round of the USTA/ITA National Indoor Collegiate Championships on Thursday as the duo knocked off the No. 3-seed tandem from Stanford, 8-5, to advance to the quarterfinals of the doubles championships being held at the USTA-Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York.
"Austin and Jeff knocked off the No. 1 doubles team of Stanford and really executed well," Aggie head coach Steve Denton said. "They got a break in the middle of the match and finished it out. Both guys did a good job with their serves as well.
Krajicek (Brandon, FL) followed up the morning doubles win with another impressive victory by taking out the No. 5-seed John-Patrick Smith from Tennessee, 6-2, 6-4 in singles play.
"The win by Austin over Smith from Tennessee was outstanding," Denton said. "Austin served extremely well and played very aggressively and that was the difference in the match. These courts are playing fast. Smith had been ranked No. 1 in the country last year and won the All-American Tournament in Tulsa."
Dadamo (Tampa, FL) dropped a 6-4, 6-4 decision to the No. 4-seed Bradley Klahn from Stanford.
"What a great experience for all of these players to have the opportunity to play at this tennis center with Patrick McEnroe watching and all of the history and the champions that have played here," Denton explained. "I am very proud of Jeff and Austin and the goal for each of these players at this championship is to move into professional tennis so playing here
In doubles play, Dadamo and Krajicek faced Bradley Klahn and Ryan Thatcher from Stanford. With the victory, the Aggies will face the Ohio State tandem of Matt Allare and Peter Koblet who defeated Columbia's Nathaniel Gery and Kevin Kung, 8-5. The match is scheduled for 9 a.m. (eastern) on Friday.
"The Ohio State guys are big and strong and have big serves," Denton said. "A key in the match is which team will be able to return serve on these fast courts."
Krajicek, the 2010 Co-Big 12 Player of the Year last spring, will now face John Peers from Baylor in the second round of the 32-person draw. Peers defeated Sven Vloedgraven from Binghamton, 6-1, 6-4 to advance.
Peers and Krajicek faced each other in the quarterfinals of the ITA Tournament held in College Station earlier this fall. Peers won that match, 6-2, 6-3. The time of the match will be announced later this evening.
