Brunstrom Advances To NCAA Sweet 16

[Mustangs35SMU]

For the second consecutive day, SMU men's tennis senior Johan Brunstrom made quick work of his opponent, downing Florida State's Mat Cloer in straight sets Thursday morning to advance to the Sweet 16 at the NCAA Singles Championship in Tulsa, Okla. With Thursday's second round victory, Brunstrom becomes the first Pony in three years to advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Singles or Doubles Championship. Brunstrom and former SMU great Jon Wallmark advanced to the NCAA Doubles titles match in 2001. Brunstrom will now face No. 12 ranked Hamid Mirzadeh of Florida in Friday's Sweet 16 match-up.

On Thursday, Brunstrom made quick work of Cloer, the No. 27 ranked player in the nation. No. 26 ranked Brunstrom won the first set 7-6 and followed with a victory clinching 6-4 win in set two. For Brunstrom, the win moves the 2004 Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year to 16-9 overall for the season. With the win Thursday, Brunstrom automatically earns All-American status for the 2003-04 season, marking the third time in his four year career that Brunstrom has earned the honor. He is one of only six players in the history of SMU men's tennis to be a three-time All-American.

Florida's Mirzadeh advanced to Friday's Sweet 16 match-up with Brunstrom by defeating No. 25 ranked Alex Slovic from Washington in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6. First serve for Friday's match has yet to be determined.