Nov. 7, 2002

Sophomore Jesse Witten was victorious Thursday in the first round of the 2002 ITA/Omni Hotels National Indoor Championships at the Bookhaven Country Club in Dallas, Texas. Witten, the No. 2 seed, took care of Virginia Tech’s Stephane Rod in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.

Witten advances to the round of 16 where he will face Washington’s Matt Hanlin, who is unseeded in the tournament but ranked 23rd in the nation. The Huskie senior defeated his first round opponent, Southern Methodist’s Johan Brunstrom, in three sets, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4.

Witten’s round of 16 match will be held Friday morning. Should he win, his quarterfinals match will take place Friday afternoon against the winner of David Martin (Stanford) and Todd Widom (Miami).

Results can be found at www.itatennis.com.

Thursday’s Results

First Round

Jesse Witten (2) def. Stephane Rod – Virginia Tech – 6-4, 6-3