July 18, 2007
University of New Mexico men’s tennis players Graeme Kassautzki and Kamil Pajkowski have qualified for the inaugural Canadian University and College National Championship to be played Aug. 17-18 at York University in Toronto. The Lobo duo are two of only eight Canadian players to make the championship. Qualifiers must be enrolled in a full-time university. Kassautzki and Pajkowski made it based on their success at UNM and during summer competition. It’s possible that Kassautzki and Pajkowski could represent Canada in the World University Games.
Pajkowski (Burnaby, B.C.) will be a senior at UNM in 2007-08. He was all-Mountain West Conference in doubles last season, pairing with Max Jones for an 18-9 record. Pajwowski was 19-14 in singles.
Kassautzki (Vancouver, B.C.) will be a junior for the Lobos. He led the team with a 30-11 singles record last year. Kassautzki, 50-26 in his singles career at UNM, is more than halfway to breaking the school record for singles victories held by Pepe Caballero and Divan Coetzee.
Canadian tennis has produced some standout professionals over the years, including Daniel Nestor, Sébastien Lareau, Grant Connell, Carling Bassett-Seguso, Helen Kelesi, Frank Dancevic and Aleksandra Wozniak. Many youngsters competing at the Nationals have gone on to represent Canada in Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympics, ATP, WTA Tour, college and international junior events.