Oklahoma State University Athletics
Puchkarov Advances to Semifinals at National Championships
November 04, 2006 | Cowboy Tennis
“There is not a whole lot more you can say about Ivan,” assistant coach Yevgen Bondarchuk. “He is playing awesome right now. We could not be happier with him.”
In the round of 16, Puchkarov got a straight sets victory as he downed the ITA ‘s small college champion Mislav Hizak of Embry-Riddle, 6-4, 6-3, to advance to the quarterfinals.
In the quarters, the Ukraine native went against Wake Forest's 14th-ranked Todd Paul. Early it looked like Puchkarov's fall might come to an end nf Friday as he dropped the first set, 6-2. The junior rallied to take a close second set, 7-5. It was all Puchkarov in the decisive third set as he cruised, 6-3, to advance to Saturday's semifinals.
Puchkarov has put together some impressive stats this fall, including nine-straight wins against top competition. He has a total record of 14-1 and took home the regional championship earlier this month. Puchkarov, ranked 61st in the country, has beaten five opponents ranked ahead of him this fall, two coming at this tournament.
The road gets tougher on Saturday as Puchkarov will face the top player in college tennis, UCLA's Ben Kohlloeffel, in the semifinals. The Bruin is ranked No. 1 in college tennis and is a defending national champion.
ITA National Indoor Championships
Columbus, Ohio • Columbus Racquet Club
Round of 16
Puchkarov (OSU) def. Hizak (ERU); 6-4, 6-3
Quarterfinals
Puchkarov (OSU) def. Paul (Wake); 2-6, 7-5, 6-3
