Sachire falls to Andersson in Rolex quarters
By RACHEL BIBER
Sports Writer
Ryan Sachire pulled the best aspects of his game together to advance to the quarterfinals of the Rolex National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships, only to be halted by top-seeded and second-ranked Daniel Andersson of Virginia Commonwealth (6-3, 6-2).
Sachire was just one stop on Andersson's road to the championship, which he took away in convincing style with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Florida's Jeff Morrison.
Despite Andersson's hot streak, Sachire stood as a formidable opponent against the top seed. In three of the pair's last four meetings, Sachire proved victorious. Sachire defeated Andersson in the 1997 NCAA first round as a freshman, in the 1997 ITA All-American Championship third round as a sophomore and in the 1999 Rolex National Indoors consolation singles final as a junior.
Andersson's only win against Sachire came in the 1998 Rolex National Indoors consolation singles semifinal.
Before bowing out of the tournament, 14th-ranked All-American Sachire posted an impressive win over Louisiana State University's 13th-ranked Tom Hand (6-3, 6-4) in the second round.
"I thought [Sachire] played extremely well against Hand," Irish coach Bob Bayliss said. "In order to win the match, he had to return the serve with precision and power, and he did. He played one of his better matches of the year."
Sachire overcame a three-year curse by posting a win in the first round of the tournament — a feat that had eluded him in his first three appearances of the collegiate grand slam. His quarterfinal showing marked his most successful trip to the Rolex National Intercollegiates, and Sachire showed an impressive style of play and strong desire throughout the tournament.
"I didn't really play quite as well as I was capable of [against Andersson]," Sachire said. "But overall I was pretty pleased with the way I played. It was a good tournament."
Sachire sunk into a deep hole quickly in his quarterfinal match against Andersson, but he refused to fade away easily.
Down 4-6, 0-4, Sachire did not let Andersson walk away with the match. He pulled himself together and finished with some of his best tennis of the day.
"Ryan came out a little off his game and allowed Andersson to get ahead," Bayliss said. "But I like the way he finished the match — he could have just hung his head at the end. I think he learned some things there."
The Irish return to dual-match play this afternoon against the 18th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats, looking to improve on their 2-2 record. The Wildcats post an impressive lineup, with seven of their top eight players returning from last season.
The Irish almost snuck away with victory last year against the Wildcats, and seek to avenge the close loss.
Sachire, now 15-6 in singles play, will match up against Kentucky's Carlos Drada, who also made it to the quarterfinals of the Rolex National Intercollegiates. Sachire squeaked by Drada in their previous meeting, and expects to encounter a close battle when they meet in dual-match play.
The Notre Dame lineup has taken a few hits lately with injuries to key players, but a healthy squad against Kentucky could help Notre Dame gain the needed edge over a tough opponent.
"I expect [Kentucky] will be one of the top 10 in the country at the end of the year," Bayliss said. It's always a close match with them, but with luck we might have all our guys, which will help us as well."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, February 8, 2000
