May 25, 2006

STANFORD, Calif. - Senior Conor Niland advanced to the round of 16 of the NCAA singles Championships Thursday morning after defeating his opponent in three sets, in Stanford, Calif. Niland teamed with junior Tyler Browne later in the day in doubles, but was defeated in the opening round.

The sixth seeded Niland fell in the first set 7-5 to Virginia's Rlyan Rizza, but bounced back to easily slip past Rizza in the final two sets, 6-2, 6-3. Niland moves on to play Texas' Callum Beals in the round of 16 on Friday. Niland is the first Golden Bear to reach the round of 16 in four years.

In doubles, Niland and Browne's luck ran out in the final two sets against Miami's Luigi D'Agord and Daniel Vallverdu. The duo secured the first set 6-4, however could not muster up to energy falling in the final two sets, 6-4, 6-2.

Niland's match against Beals will start at 10 a.m. (PDT). The match is being held at the Taube Tennis Center on the Stanford campus.

Complete Results

SINGLES
Rd. 32 (Cal) Conor Niland d. (UVA) Rylan Rizza, 5-7; 6-2, 6-3

DOUBLES
Rd. 32 (Miami) Luigi D'Agord / Daniel Vallverdu d. (Cal) Tyler Browne / Conor Niland, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2