Oct. 12, 2008

Tulsa, Oklahoma - Arnau Brugues and Philip Stephens fell to ninth-ranked Jonas Berg and Bram ten Berge from Mississippi, 6-4, 6-4, in the Main Draw Doubles Championship match on Sunday at the D'Novo ITA All-American Championships. The loss ended the duo's run at the first of three opportunities at a doubles national championship.

Brugues and Stephens fell behind 5-3 in both sets, but staved off elimination both times forcing 5-4. However, Berg and ten Berge rallied each time to defeat the Tulsa tandem, 6-4, 6-4, for the title.

"It was a close match," Philip Stephens said. "It came down to only a few break points and they were able to capitalize on them."

The Tulsa duo mounted a terrific run through the Main Draw, knocking off three nationally-ranked teams including 23rd-ranked Omar Altmann and Sassam Beidas from Pepperdine in the first round, eighth-ranked Jamie Hunt and Nate Schnugg from Georgia in the second round and Ohio State's 17th-ranked team of Steven Moneke and Balazs Novak in the quarterfinals.

"I think we played really well together during the tournament," Stephens said. "I think with a little bit more time together we can win a championship. We have the National Indoor Championships coming up and I think we have a good shot at that."

In the singles final, Michael Venus from LSU defeated the nation's top-ranked Oleksandr Nedovyesov from Oklahoma State in a thrilling three-set match, 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-4.

Up next for Tulsa is the ITA Regional Championships on Oct. 16-20 in Fayetteville, Ark.

Main Draw Singles Final
Michael Venus, LSU def. Oleksandr Nedovyesov (1), Oklahoma State (7-6[5], 2-6, 6-4)

Main Draw Doubles Final
Jonas Berg-Bram ten Berge, Mississippi def. Arnau Brugues-Philip Stephens, Tulsa (6-4, 6-4)