NATIONAL COLLEGIATE TENNIS CLASSIC : Net Lets Carl Chang Down During Second-Round Loss

In some ways, Carl Chang’s 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 loss to Stanford’s Jared Palmer in Friday’s second round of the National Collegiate Tennis Classic at Shadow Mountain Resort could be seen as a net loss.

“I started out well, but the net didn’t like me too much today,” said Chang, a California senior and the older brother of 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang.

“It seemed like there were 15 or 16 let cords and I lost every one. It was a matter of just a couple of points here and there. A couple of let cords went his way on a couple of key points, where it could have turned around for me to be ahead instead of him.”

In the women’s division, NCAA champion Debbie Graham of Stanford opened with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Jennifer Rojohn of Arizona State, followed by a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Vickie Paynter of Texas. The Los Amigos High School graduate will face California junior Lisa Albano in today’s quarterfinals.

Chang, who won his first collegiate singles title in last month’s Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches’ Assn. Holiday tournament at Sunny Hills Racquet Club in Fullerton, was not upset by his relatively early exit from this tournament.

“I’m just trying to get my game ready for the season,” said Chang, who began play Friday with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Mark Taylor of Texas. “If I win, great; if I don’t, then I just know I have to work harder. It’s kind of good to know where you stand among the top players before the season starts.”

Chang is confident about continued improvement in his game.

“Mentally, I could be a lot tougher,” Chang said. “There are little points in my game which need a little fine tuning. I’m progressing the direction I want to progress, because I’ve been working out with Michael and a physical trainer and we’ve been pushed pretty hard. I don’t plan to see any major results until I start really getting into the program, which takes time.”