July 27, 2002

Columbia, S.C. –
The 2002 Wachovia USTA Boys Junior Davis Cup began play Saturday on the campus of the University of South Carolina. All top four seeded teams advanced in the championship draw, including second-seeded Southern, who defeated Pacific Northwest in a 5-0 opening round win.

The second-seeded Southern region had no problems in singles action today, winning all five singles in straight sets to clinch the win. No. 2 singles Robert Cameron fought off a tiebreak in the first set to defeat Chris Floyd of Pacific Northwest , 7-6 (3), 6-2. No. 5 singles Danny Bryan also earned a tough two-set win vs. Charles Adams, 6-3, 7-5. Southern No. 1 singles Jermaine Jenkins clamied a 6-1, 6-2 victory vs. Charn Bak. Southern advances to the second round to face New England at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Sam Daniel Tennis Center.

Several of the five-eight seeded teams were upset on Saturday afternoon in the first round as three matches all came down to the final doubles point. New England won three singles matches and split both doubles to earn a 4-3 upset over the Eastern team. The No. 2 doubles team of Scott Denenburg and Kevin Bergesen earned New England the first round victory with a 7-5, 7-5 win vs. Eastern’s Kiran Burke and Morgan Bauer.

The Intermountain region also won three singles matches and split the doubles to earn a 4-3 upset over the Northern California region team. Northern California knotted the match at 3-3 when the No. 1 doubles team of Chris Rasmussen and John Pettit def. Mark Weinig and James Ludlow, 6-2, 6-4. However, the Intermountain region won the team match as the No. 2 doubles team of Matt Phillips and Bobby Rasmussen overcame a loss in the first set, to defeat Jaysen Chung and Michael Ricks 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. The Intermountain region won the 2000 Junior Davis Cup.

The final upset of the day was the Middle States region defeating Mid-Atlantic, 4-3. No. 1 singles player Joe Mirabile led the way for Middle States as he defeated Jason Pinsky 6-1, 6-2 and with No. 2 doubles partner Matthew Fawcett defeated Chase Dawson and Hillan Smith, 6-2, 7-6 (2) to clinch a Middle States victory.

Also on Saturday, the top seed Southern California defeated Missouri Valley, 4-1 to advance to the next round. Defending champion Texas also advanced with a 5-0 victory over Hawaii Pacific, not losing a set in all five singles matches. No. 1 singles Robert Gallman defeated Derrick Lajola 6-1, 6-2 to lead Texas. The No. 3 seeded Midwest region earned a 4-1 victory vs. Southwest.

Second day competition begins at 8 a.m. and action will take place at two courts in the Columbia area: the Sam Daniel Tennis Center (USC men’s courts on Heyward Street at The Roost), and the Columbia Tennis Center (corner of Pickens and Whaley streets at the water tower).The Junior Davis Cup is considered the nation’s top junior team tournament. All championship draw matches from Sunday-Tuesday will be played at the Sam Daniel Courts.

For further information on the tournament, contact the USC Sports Information Office at (803) 777-7875. A complete bracket and daily game times are posted each evening on the Gamecocks’ athletic web site at www.uscsports.com.

2002 JUNIOR DAVIS CUP
Saturday July 28 Results

Southern California def. Missouri Valley 4-1
Middle States def. Mid-Atlantic 4-3
Florida def. Northern 5-0
Intermountain def. Northern California 4-3
Texas def. Hawaii Pacific 5-0
Midwest def. Southwest 4-1
New England def. Eastern 4-3
Southern def. Pacific Northwest

2002 JUNIOR DAVIS CUP

Sunday July 29, 2002 Matches

CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW
8 a.m. Florida vs. Intermountain
10 a.m. Southern California vs. Middle States
12 p.m. Texas vs. Midwest
2 p.m. New England vs. Southern

all matches to be played at Sam Daniel Center

CONSOLATION DRAW
8 a.m. Missouri Valley vs. Mid-Atlantic
10 a.m. Northern vs. Northern California
12 p.m. Hawaii Pacific vs. Southwest
2 p.m. Eastern vs. Pacific Northwest

all Consolation matches to be played at Columbia Tennis Center