Oct. 9, 2005

Tulsa, Okla. - Wake Forest junior Todd Paul rallied to defeat Washington's Alex Slovic, 2-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 to capture the consolation draw championship at the Polo Ralph Lauren ITA All-American Championships on Sunday in Tulsa.

Paul, who had won eight straight sets coming into the match, dropped the first set, 6-2. In the second set, though, both players held serve. In the tiebreaker, Paul won handily 7-3.

In the third set, Paul carried the momentum, breaking serve twice to lead 4-1. He took the third set, 6-4.

"I felt like I played pretty well. In the first set, I was missing too many first serves and approaches," Paul said. "But I tightened up my game and took it from there."

Sunday's championship marked the sixth match in four days for Paul (8-2), who won his final five, all against nationally-ranked opponents. In fact, he defeated the 10th, 42nd, 86th, 35th and 23rd-ranked players in succession.

"I got hot," Paul said. "Once I get hot and get into a good groove, anything can happen."

Paul's victory earns him a coveted place in the National Indoors Tournament Nov. 3-6 at Ohio State University. The nation's top 32 players will participate in that event.

The match closed a successful week for the Deacons at the ITA All-American Championship. In all, Wake Forest's trio of Andrew Hamar, Paul and Brett Ross combined to go 11-3 in singles. Eight of those victories came against nationally-ranked opponents.

Singles:
Consolation Draw/Championship:
#33 Todd Paul (WF) def. #23 Alex Slovic (UW), 2-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4