Strode advances to quarterfinals at All-American

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas netter Blake Strode picked up his second win over a top-10 opponent in as many days at the 2008 D’Novo All-American Championship with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Tulsa’s Arnau Brugues, the sixth-ranked player in the nation. With the win, Strode earned a spot in the quarterfinals of prestigious fall tournament. In the next round, Strode will take on No. 20 Michael Venus of LSU.“Obviously, this is a great win for Blake,” head coach Robert Cox said. “He played really well against a very tough opponent and did it on the Brugues’ home court. It’s great to see Blake playing such great tennis against such a great field.”Strode, the No. 41 player in the country,has not dropped a set on his way to the quarterfinals, a career-best position in three appearances at the All-American event. On day one of the tournament, Strode bested No. 50 Lucas Jovita, 6-3, 6-4, and No. 9 Bryan Koniecko, 6-4, 6-3. As sophomore, Strode advanced to the round of 16.This will be the second meeting between Strode and Venus. The two met during last season’s dual match between Arkansas and LSU. At the No. 1 singles spot, Venus won a tight three-set match, 6-7(5), 7-6(3), 6-3. In the win over Brugues, Strode avenged a straight-sets loss to the Tulsa netter from last year.Strode and Venus are scheduled to take the courts at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center in Tulsa, Okla. Live scoring will be available on the D’Novo All-American event page at www.itatennis.com. For complete coverage of Razorback tennis, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.