Sept. 18, 2004

BERKELEY - California opened 2004-05 play today in the Napa Valley Tennis Classic. The Bears came up against the likes of University of Georgia, Texas A&M University and 2003 national champions University of Illinois.

Junior Conor Niland, returning from a redshirt season and ranked No.17 nationally, won the Bear's first singles match. Niland defeated Georgia's Matic Omerzel in a grueling three games, 6-7 (5); 6-0; 7-5. Freshman Vaclav Burger was the Bears other singles winner, recording his first collegiate win. Burger defeated Zack Malmgren from Texas A&M, 6-4; 6-4.

The Bears weren't as lucky in doubles, coming up winless. Cal's senior Patrick Briaud and junior Conor Niland put in a courageous effort against Georgia's duo of John Isner and Antonio Ruiz, just coming up short, 5-8. Isner was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and earned All American honors in doubles after going 40-8 in the No. 1 doubles spot last year.

Action picks up again Saturday at 9 a.m. at Meadowood in St. Helena. The Round Robin Tournament concludes on Sunday.

Friday's Tournament ResultsSingles ResultsTX-AM Makowski d. CAL Pettit  6-3;6-3UG Gonzales d. CAL Nakahara  6-3;7-5TX-AM Supeko d. UG Ruiz  6-3;3-6;6-1TX-AM Bain d. UG Wilson  6-7(3);6-0;6-1CAL Niland d. UG Omerzel  6-7(5);6-0;7-5UG Purcell d. CAL Briaud  6-3;6-4UG Bobusic d. TX-AM Joelson  6-3;6-1UG Isner d. CAL Browne  6-3;6-4TX-AM Wooten d. ILL Jones  4-6;6-1;6-2ILL DeHeart d. CAL Sebescen  2-6;7-5;6-3TX-AM Rolle d. ILL Zeder  7-6(2);6-4ILL Tucker d. CAL Wallace  6-7(5);6-1;6-3CAL Burger d. TX-AM Malmgren  6-4;6-4
Doubles ResultsTX-AM Malmgren - TX-AM Wooten d. CAL Burger - CAL Wallace  8-0UG Isner - UG Ruiz d. CAL Briaud - CAL Niland  8-5TX-AM Makowski - TX-AM Rolle d. CAL Browne - CAL Sebescen  8-2UG Bobusic - UG Purcell d. TX-AM Joelson - TX-AM Supeko  8-4ILL DeHeart - ILL Jones d. UG Gonzales - UG Omerzel  8-6ILL Davis - ILL Zeder d. CAL Nakahara - CAL Pettit  8-5