May 26, 2006

STANFORD, Calif. - Senior Conor Niland advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA singles Championships Friday morning after defeating his opponent in two sets, in Stanford, Calif.

The sixth seeded Niland defeated Texas' Callum Beals in two sets, 6-0, 6-2. Niland is the first Golden Bear to advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships since John Paul Fruttero advanced in 2002. Niland will face first seeded Benjamin Kohlloeffel of UCLA in Saturday's match.

This season Niland is currently 2-0 against the first-ranked Kohlloeffel. In early February, Niland defeated Kohlloeffel, 6-3, 6-2 and he did it again in April, routing him 6-3, 6-4.

"He played really good tennis the two times I played him," Niland said. "I feel like he's such a good player that he forces you to bring you're a game. You're not going to get away with not being aggressive and I guess that helps me get into a mindset of being positive and going for my shots. It helps me and that's what I'm going to try and do tomorrow against him."

Niland's match against Kohlloeffel will begin at 1 p.m. (PDT). The match is being held at the Taube Tennis Center on the Stanford campus.

Complete Results

SINGLES
Rd. 16 (Cal) Conor Niland d. (UT) Callum Beals, 6-2; 6-0