Buchanan, Rola Capture Doubles Title at All-American Championships

Buckeye pair goes 5-0 en route to tournament crown

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Chase Buchanan and Blaz Rola, members of the Ohio State men’s tennis team, were crowned the 2011 D’Novo/ITA All-American doubles champions Sunday at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center in Tulsa, Okla. The Buckeye duo concluded the prestigious event with a 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4 win over Georgia Tech’s Kevin King and Juan Spir in the final. It is the first All-American doubles title for the Buckeyes since Scott Green and Ross Wilson captured the title in 2004.
 
Buchanan and Rola were ranked the third-best team in the draw, while Spir and King were the top-seed in the tournament.
 
With the victory, Buchanan and Rola finish their unblemished run in the tournament 5-0. The tandem also improves to 12-3 in tournament play this fall season when paired together. They are 21-7 for their careers.
 
Buchanan and Rola advanced to the tournament final after defeating Georgia’s Sadio Doumbia and Ignacio Taboada 6-2, 6-4 Saturday.
 
Buckeyes Devin McCarthy and Ille Van Engelen fell to California’s Nick Andrews and Chris Konigsfeldt 8-5 in the doubles consolation final. They finish the tournament 3-2, including a loss to Spir and King during the first round of the main draw.
 
Buchanan’s and Rola’s Path to the Championship:
1st Round: Chase Buchanan/Blaz Rola def. Tuomas Manner/Alexander Pelaez (Illinois State), 8-2
2nd Round: Buchanan/Rola def. Christopher Aumueller/Benedikt Lindheim (Nebraska), 8-5
Quarterfinals: Buchanan/Rola def. David Cavalcanti/Matheus Pereira (Wichita State), 8-5
Semifinals: Buchanan/Rola def. Sadio Doumbia/Ignacio Taboada (Georgia), 6-2, 6-4
Finals: Buchanan/Rola def. Kevin King/Juan Spir (Georgia Tech), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4