Eric Butorac, a 2003 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and former NCAA Division III Singles and Doubles Champion, will begin play in the men’s doubles draw at this year’s French Open either Wednesday, May 30 or Thursday, May 31.
Butorac, a Rochester native, and his doubles partner, Jamie Murray of Great Britain, are slated to face Tomas Cibulec of the Czech Republic and Jordan Kerr of Australia in a first round match. Earlier this year, Butorac picked up his first ever win at a Grand Slam tournament when he teamed with Travis Parrott of the United States for a first round victory at the Australian Open.
Butorac and Murray have steadily climbed up the doubles rankings on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour this year. On this date in 2006 Butorac was ranked 105th, but has since risen as high as 41st. At the onset of the French Open, Butorac is the 44th ranked doubles player in the world.
Butorac’s climb up the rankings is due in part to two wins on tour with Murray as his partner. The duo claimed their first ever title on Feb. 18 at the SAP Open in San Jose, Calif. They were then victorious a week later on Feb. 25 at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, Tenn.
You can follow Butorac’s progress at the French Open by clicking here for the tournament’s draw. Click here to visit Butorac and Murray’s website.
Update: Butorac and Murray were defeated 7-6 (10-8), 6-3 by Cibulec and Kerr in first round action.
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