The No. 19 University of Miami tennis team started the NCAA Championships on Saturday afternoon with a 4-2 victory over No. 42 USF at Linder Stadium at Ring Complex in Gainesville.

With the victory, the Hurricanes improved their record this season to 17-7 in advancing to the second round of the event for the second time in the last three years. USF finished its season with a 14-7 record.

Miami won the doubles point with wins on courts one and two. Daniel Vallverdu and Carl Sundberg, who are ranked third nationally, took out Daniel Daudt and Thomas Estrada at the top of the order in 49 minutes, 8-2. Just over 10 minutes later, Miami had the 1-0 lead when Vivek Subramanian and David Ronsefeld defeated Lucas Jovita and Mahmoud Hamed, 8-5.

USF jumped on top 2-1 with wins on courts five and six in singles. The match was evened when USF’s Thomas Estrada withdrew on court four due to injury. Miami took the lead with a win at the top of the lineup from Vallverdu (No. 5) who held off Jovita (No. 84) in the first set and went on to a 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory. The match was clinched by Subramanian on court two as he posted a 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 decision against Hamed.

Miami advanced to meet ninth-ranked Florida in the second round, which will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. Live results will be available via www.GatorZone.com.

University of Miami head coach Mario Rincon

On the match

“It was a tremendous battle with USF. They were playing really well in every spot. I thought our guys competed extremely hard and it was a hard fought match. We were out there for a long time and want to take advantage of each and every hour before our match tomorrow and come out and be ready to go.”

On playing Florida in the second round

“Both them and us have talented teams. Someone is going to win tomorrow and go to Tulsa for the Round of 16. We like our chances and we’re enjoying being in the NCAA tournament.”

USF coach Don Barr

On the match

“"Hats off to Miami, I knew they were going to be a very tough team and they proved that they were. Our guys fought their hearts out and that's all I can ask of my guys. We go back to the drawing board and understand what we need to do to get better physically and mentally and hopefully we can have them invited down to our place and play them there."

NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championships

First Round (Round of 64)

Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex

Gainesville, Fla.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Final Score: Miami 4, USF 2

Doubles

1. (3) Daniel Vallverdu/Carl Sundberg (Miami) def. Daniel Daudt/Thomas Estrada (USF), 8-2

2. Vivek Subramanian/David Rosenfield (Miami) def. Lucas Jovita/Mahmoud Hamed (USF), 8-5

3. Keith Crowley/Hector Nieto (Miami) vs. Michael Nusslein/Jamal Adderley (USF), 7-7 DNF

Singles

1. (5) Daniel Vallverdu (Miami) def. (84) Lucas Jovita (USF), 7-6 (5), 6-2

2. Vivek Subramanian (Miami) vs. Mahmoud Hamed (USF), 6-1, 5-7, 6-2

3. David Rosenfel (Miami) vs. Jamal Adderley (USF), 6-3, 6-7 (7), 2-2 DNF

4. Carl Sundberg (Miami) def. Thomas Estrada (USF), 6-4, 5-5 ret.

5. Michael Nusslein (USF) def. Keith Crowley (Miami), 6-4, 6-4

6. Diego Toledo (USF) def. Barnabes Carrega (Miami), 6-1, 6-3

Order of Finish: Doubles- 1, 2; Singles- 6, 5, 4, 1, 2

Updated Records: Miami: 17-7   USF:   14-7

*indicates clinching doubles point/dual match victory

END OF REPORT