Aug. 9, 2007

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Zach Nichols, an incoming freshman for the TCU men's tennis team, completed action at the USTA Boys' 18 National Championships on Wednesday at Kalamazoo College. Nichols advanced to the round of 16 in singles play and the quarterfinals in doubles action.

Nichols' run in the singles tournament came to an end in the round of 16 on Wednesday, as the Austin, Texas, native fell to No. 3 Ryan Thacher 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1. Nichols won four matches and upended the No. 24 and No. 12 seeds to advance to the round of 16. Nichols was one of only four unseeded players among the final 16 competitors.

Nichols also won four matches in doubles play with partner Chris Price to advance to the quarterfinals. The duo defeated the No. 6 seeded team of Britton and El Mihdawy 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) to move on the quarterfinals where they fell to the top-seeded tandem of Damico and Schnugg 6-3, 7-5. Nichols and Price were the only unseeded pair to make it to the quarterfinal round.

Nichols, who won the UIL 4A State Tennis Championship in May, was named the USTA Boys 18's Player of the Day on Tuesday.