Singles play highlights men’s tennis performance at UAB

The Troy men’s tennis team had another successful singles showing on Sunday, as Pablo Moreno led his team with a singles draw victory.

Moreno had to earn every win during his team’s run in the CCB Collegiate Invitational, as hosted by Samford University. Moreno defeated Eastern Kentucky’s Ramon Van Flymen 7-5, 7-5, before winning a thrilling 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 match against Justin Ghavami of Samford.

His singles draw win came on the third and final day of the tournament, when he claimed a victory over UAB’s Christian Coetzee. Coetzee was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Also winning a victory in singles play was Gabriel Niculescu, who bounced back after an initial loss to claim the singles consolation draw after taking down Anrue Fourie of UAB 6-3, 6-4.

Fellow teammate Andre Baldo also battled for a spot in the consolation match in the same bracket as Niculescu, but fell in the semifinal to Fourie 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(7). Andy Lau had a strong start to his singles play, thanks to a 6-2, 6-4 win over South Alabama’s Pierre Noyon, but fell in his ensuing match against Coetzee.

In doubles play, Lau and Moreno advanced to the finals of their bracket, but fell 6-2 to UAB’s Eric Komati/Coetzee duo.

Baldo and Niculescu’s doubles run also saw success, as the pair advanced to the consolation draw finals after defeating Louisville’s Fredrik Moe and Michael Quang. In the consolation draw final, the pair of Trojans defeated Guillem Sanchis and Diego Asis from Eastern Kentucky 6-3.

The Trojans won’t have much time to rest before they get back to action on Friday. They travel to North Carolina to participate in the Wake Forest Invite hosted by the Demon Deacons.