University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
NCAA Championships
Hernandez Falls Just Short In Upset Bid
May 27, 2011 | Men's Tennis
May 27, 2011
STANFORD, CALIF. - North Carolina sophomore Jose Hernandez fell just short in his bid to upset defending NCAA champion Bradley Klahn of Stanford University in the third round of singles of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships at Stanford's Taube Family Tennis Center.
Klahn defeated Hernandez 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to advance to the NCAA quarterfinals. Hernandez outplayed the Stanford junior for much of the match, but a late third set service break proved to be the difference as the nation's ninth-ranked player edged the No. 22-ranked Hernandez. Hernandez broke Klahn at 1-1 in the 3rd set on a spectacular point. After several groundstroke rallies, Hernandez retrieved Klahn's apparent forehand winner on a dead run, managing to return the ball over his opponent's head on the backhand side. Hernandez looked to be in command seving at 4-3, but was broken and Klhan quickly won the next two games to close out the match.
The loss does not diminish the sophomore season that the native of the Dominican Republic put together as he finished with a 30-13 mark with 11 wins over ITA ranked opponents. Earlier this season he was named All-ACC, leading Carolina to a second place finish in the ACC and the spot in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
With his win in the second round of the NCAAs on Thursday, Hernandez clinched a spot on the 2011 Intercollegiate Tennis Association first-team All-America when it will be announced in June. Hernandez will become the 23rd different player in UNC history to be named a first-team All-America and the 11th under the tutelage of Tar Heel head coach Sam Paul.
Players Mentioned
