VCU ALUM MOSER SCORES DOUBLES WIN OVER SAFIN IN SWEDEN
IBASTAD, Sweden – Former VCU star and current ATP pro Frank Moser got off to an outstanding start in the doubles draw Tuesday on the clay courts of the Catella Swedish Open.

Moser, teaming with Daniel Koellerer, toppled 2005 Australian Open Champion Marat Safin and Tomas Berdych in the first round, 6-3, 6-3.

Moser and Koellerer will meet the winner of Wednesday’s match between Jonas Bjorkman/Robin Soderling and Marcel Granollers/Potito Starace in the quarterfinals.

The Russian-born Safin is one of the more recognizable players on tour and owns 15 ATP singles titles in his career. Safin is currently 40th in the ATP singles rankings, but has spent more than 100 weeks in the top 10 during his 12-year career, including nine weeks at No. 1.

Berdych owns three ATP singles and one doubles title. He is currently the 23rd-ranked single on the tour.

Moser starred for Head Coach Paul Kostin and the Rams from 1998-01. A native of Baden-Baden, Germany, Moser was named ITA All-America in singles in 2000, as well as doubles in 2001. He is the only VCU men’s tennis player to earn All-America in both.

Moser ranks 12th in VCU history with 68 singles wins and is seventh in career doubles victories with 59.

His best season came in 2000 as a member of the Rams’ squad that reached the national championship match before falling to Stanford. Moser was 34-10 in singles action that year, and finished with the ITA’s No. 17 ranking. He and Daniel Andersson also teamed up for a No. 19 national doubles ranking.

In 2001, Moser paired with Florian Marquardt and reached the NCAA doubles quarterfinals. Moser and Marquardt finished the season with a 23-11 mark and a No. 8 ranking.