May 23, 2007
Athens, Ga. – In his first NCAA Singles Championships, 42nd-ranked David North dropped his opening round match to No. 27 Devin Mullings of Ohio State, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, on court two of the Dan Magill Tennis Complex on Wednesday.
“Mullings played a very solid match,” said Georgia Tech men’s head tennis coach Kenny Thorne. “He started very shaky and David was able to take advantage but he turned it around to earn the win.”
North, a junior from Durban, South Africa, dominated the first set with six aces and some excellent return play. After holding on serve to bring the score to 2-1, North broke Mullings with a few cross-court winners. Mullings would return the favor; breaking North on his next serve and then holding on serve to tie the score at three apiece. North went on a roll and won the next three games to close out the set 6-3.
“David had a great first set but got a little tight in the second,” said Thorne. “He was able to fight it out in the third but couldn’t break Mullings serve.”
It was all Mullings in the second set, taking the first three games rather easily. North held on serve to get within two but was unable to get any closer as Mullings closed the set out 6-1. In the third set, Mullings was able to break North’s serve and then hold for a 2-0 lead. North held serve the rest of the way but could not catch Mullings, who cruised to a 6-4 win.
“David played a really good match and comes away with some very good playing experience,” added Thorne. “He can now take what he has learned and possibly do some damage in this tournament next year.”
NCAA Singles Championships
Round of 64: Devin Mullings (Ohio State) d. David North (GT), 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
