Austen Childs Falls in NCAA Singles Round of 16
May 27, 2011 | Men's Tennis
May 27, 2011
The University of Louisville's Austen Childs fell to Virginia's fifth-ranked and third-seeded Michael Shabaz 7-5, 6-4 in the NCAA Singles Championship round of 16 Friday afternoon in Palo Alto, Calif.
"He came up with some big shots," said Childs. "I could not neutralize his serve. I did not think he would play as well as he did defensively."
The loss halted Childs' win streak at 14 and brings his senior season singles total to 33-11. He finishes his singles career as Louisville's only two-time All-American and the only player to play in the NCAA singles championships in each of his four seasons including a runner-up finish in 2010. Childs is also a three-time BIG EAST Player of the Year and four-time all-conference selection. He entered the 2011 NCAA Singles Championship at No. 16 in the ITA rankings after spending the entire season in the top 20, reaching a career-high eighth during the year.
"Austen got up an early break and almost broke him again to take full control of the first set, but Shabaz showed why he plays No. 1 for the team that was ranked No. 1 almost the entire year," said U of L head coach Rex Ecarma. "To see the greatest tennis player in U of L history end his singles career today was sad, but I thank God that we partnered together for four amazing seasons. His career is legendary."
NCAA Singles Championship - Round of 16
May 27, 2011 - Palo Alto, Calif.
