Hogan into Regional finals qualifies for Nationals

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Hog Matt Hogan, along with his dominating serve, is into the finals at the 2008 Wilson/ITA Central Region Championships, also earning a spot at the ITA National Indoor Championships in November, after beating No.22-ranked Andrei Daescu of Oklahoma, 7-5, 6-4 in the quarterfinals and eliminating the 81st-ranked Maor Zirkin of Drake in a solid semifinal, 6-3, 6-4.“Matt’s play this weekend validates all he’s done in practice this fall in making him more aggressive. Now that he’s proven it to himself in a tournament, it gives him loads of confidence going into Nationals and the spring season,” said head Razorbacks coach Robert Cox.

In the doubles semifinals, partners Hogan and Blake Strode hit a wall in the No.10-ranked team from Oklahoma State, Nathan Byrnes and Oleksandr Nedovyesov. The teams traded early breaks but theCowboys broke again to go up 7-5 and never looked back, winning the match and advancing the final, 8-5.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t put it all together for a sustained period of time in the match and Oklahoma State was too solid throughout the set and definitely deserved to win,” said Cox. “I do think Hogan and Strode played very well and will be a strong doubles team for us this season.”

Hogan will face the No.6-ranked Arnau Brugues from Tulsa at 10 a.m. on Monday in the finals at Dills Indoor Stadium. For complete coverage of Razorbacks men’s tennis, log onto ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Jump to Day 4 results.