Bogaerts Advances To Qualifying Rounds At ITA All-American

TULSA, Okla. - Mississippi State freshman Romain Bogaerts continued his run through prequalifying at the ITA All-American Championships Sunday with a thrilling three-set victory against Texas A&M's Alberto Bautista to advance to the qualifying round.

Bogaerts defeated the Southeastern Conference foe 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 becoming the only Bulldog to survive the prequalifying bracket.  Earlier in the day, Bogaerts had downed Tennessee's Edward Jones 6-2, 6-1.

Fellow freshman Stefan Vinti found success early in the day with a 6-4, 6-0 victory against Memphis' Cedric DeZutter. In his fourth round matchup, Vinti fell to Chris Diaz of Ohio State in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.

Newcomer Jordan Angus won a tight first set en route to a straight sets victory in consolation play, defeating TCU's Orlando Superlano 7-6(2), 6-0.

"We have some key areas that we have to get better in," coach Per Nilsson said. "However, it is still great to see Romain advance. We are very proud of the way he played."

Qualifying play will begin Monday, Oct. 1, and will include Bogaerts along with Bulldog Pedro Dumont and the MSU doubles tandems of Malte Stropp/Angus, Zach White/James Chaudry and Bogaerts/Dumont.

Stropp was scheduled to play in the qualifying round, but learned Sunday that he has been moved into the main draw, where he will join State's James Chaudry in singles action on Thursday.

Follow the ITA on Twitter (www.twitter.com/ITAtennis) for updates and news from Tulsa. For more information on Mississippi State Men's Tennis, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter (www.twitter.com/mstatemt) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/mstatemt).

MSU Results At The ITA All-American Championships
September 30, 2012 - Tulsa, Okla.

Singles - Prequalifying

Third Round - Stefan Vinti (MSU) def. Cedric DeZutter (Memphis) 6-4, 6-0; Romain Bogaerts (MSU) def. Edward Jones (Tennessee) 6-2, 6-1

Fourth Round - Chris Diaz (Ohio St.) def. Stefan Vinti (MSU) 6-4, 6-2; R. Bogaerts (MSU) def. Alberto Bautista (TAMU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4

Consolation - Jordan Angus (MSU) def. Orlando Superlano (TCU) 7-6(2), 6-0