CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (UNLVRebels.com) – After a smoking-hot start, UNLV men's tennis senior Christopher Bulus saw his opponent rally for a three-set victory that ended the collegiate career of the Mountain West Tennis Player of the Year in Monday's opening round of the 2022 NCAA Singles Championship.
 
Fighting through windy conditions, Bulus (BULL-is) eased through the first set vs. Jonas Ziverts of Arizona but then the 52nd-ranked Wildcat stormed back in the 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 final played at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex on the campus of the University of Illinois. The first round meeting was actually a rematch as Bulus downed Ziverts in three sets in Tucson during a dual match February 19.
 
"Chris gave it his all today against a solid Pac-12 opponent," said UNLV head coach Owen Hambrook. "A couple of points didn't go his way at the start of the third set and that led to facing a hill too big to climb. I am very proud of Chris, including how he represented UNLV today. He's been a model student-athlete and we wish him the best in his next chapter."
 
Bulus (Lagos, Nigeria), who is ranked 101st after moving as high as No. 31 in the nation this spring, ended his spectacular season with a record for 21-7 while Ziverts moves into Tuesday's second round. Bulus did become the first UNLV men's player to win a set at the NCAA event since 2007 when Elliot Wronski won his first round match in straight sets before falling the next day.
 
2022 NCAA DIVISION I MEN'S TENNIS SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP
At Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex, Champaign, IL
 
ROUND OF 64
#52 Jonas Ziverts (AZ) def. #101 Christopher Bulus (UNLV) 2-6, 6-1, 6-4