Husker Duo Advances to Doubles Main Draw

David Bendheim and Calin Paar advanced to the main doubles draw of the D’Novo Championships by defeating Matt Allare and Mike O’Connell (OhioState) 9-7 in the finals of the qualifying bracket on Wednesday.  Allare and O’Connell came into the tournament ranked as the No. 24 doubles team in the nation according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s preseason rankings.  Head coach Kerry McDermott said hard work with assistant coach Joerg Barthel both had a major roll in the pair advancing.

“David and Calin played very well and I am excited for them to get to play in the main draw,” McDermott said. “They have been working extremely hard and it’s good to see their efforts being rewarded. Joerg Barthel has done a great job of getting these guys to believe in themselves and their abilities to compete with the best players in the nation.”

Main draw play begins Thursday, Oct. 9 and runs through Oct. 12.  Paar and Bendheim will face Austin Krajicek and Conor Pollock (Texas A&M) at 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, Oct. 9.  Krajicek and Pollock entered the tournament as the No. 4 ranked doubles team in the nation.