Paul Serves Past Shields In NCAA First Round

Sunday, May 21

Palo Alto, Calif.

4:00 PM

Wake Forest University

NCAA Singles Championships

Todd Paul will represent Wake Forest in the singles draw at the NCAA Championships in Palo Alto, Calif., beginning May 24.

5/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis

May 24, 2006

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Wake Forest junior Todd Paul opened play in the NCAA Singles Championship in grand fashion on Wednesday, defeating 45th-ranked Luke Shields of Boise State, 6-4, 6-2, at Stanford University.

Paul did not have his serve broken in nine games while breaking Shields' serve on three occasions.

"I felt like my serve was on for the first time all season. Once I got up a break, I was able to stay on top of him," Paul said. "I transitioned well to the net. That was the second biggest thing."

"Todd played very well," head coach Jeff Zinn said. "It was a good first match to get under his belt. Luke Shields was one of the top American juniors growing up so it was a good win for T.P."

Paul, the 18th-ranked player nationally, advances to play either 19th-ranked Luis Flores of Georgia or Illinois' Ryler DeHeart, ranked 11th. Those two play later Wednesday and the second round match time will be determined following the conclusion of that match. Live stats are available throughout the tournament on WakeForestSports.com, courtesy of Stanford University.

Paul improves his record to 27-13. A win on Thursday would earn Paul a berth in the Sweet 16 and All-America status. Wake Forest has not had a singles All-American since Gilles Ameline in 1990.