May 26, 2004

WACO, Texas - Baylor's two tennis players competing in the NCAA Men's Tennis Singles Championship had the opposite results on Wednesday at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center in Tulsa, Okla. Benjamin Becker won his match in the round of 64 but second-seeded Benedikt Dorsch was upset and eliminated from the tournament.

Becker defeated Duke's Ludovic Walter in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the round of 32. He will take on Adrians Zguns on Arkansas at 10 a.m., on Thursday. Becker's singles recaord now stands at 39-9 for the season. Dorsch, who had dominated his opponents in the team portion of the tournament, leading the Bears to the school's first-ever team national championship, lost to unseeded Franticek Babej of South Alabama, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. Dorsch ends the season with a singles record of 34-7. Dorsch wasn't the only top seed to lose, seeds 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 all lost in the round of 64.

"It was a lack of motivation, lack of concentration and a lack of preparation," said Dorsch. "It was just too tough mentally after you haven't slept a whole lot. He was tough, because he was fast and getting to every ball. It's tough to beat somebody when you're not on top of your game."

Dorsch and freshman Matija Zgaga were selected to participate in the doubles portion of the NCAA Championships. Becker and Matias Marin were originally third alternates for the tournament but have made it into the 32-team draw.

Dorsch and Zgaga will face Virginia's Nick Meythaler and Rylan Rizza at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Becker and Marin will try to extend their 17-match win streak when they take on Zolton Csandi and Izak van der Merwe of Old Dominion at 2:30.