Eight is Enough: Men's Tennis Swings into Semis

Eight is Enough: Men's Tennis Swings into Semis
Barry's Kevin Sielmann was one of eight Bucs to advance to the semifinals at the Florida Gulf Coast University Fall Invitational. Photo by Linwood Ferguson

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Eight of Barry University men’s tennis players each won two matches Friday at the Florida Gulf Coast Fall Invitational, featuring NCAA Division I and II opponents.

Barry’s Ahmed Triki won two matches, including a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 victory in the quarterfinals of the A Draw. Fabian Groetsch won a pair of matches as well, including a 7-5, 7-6 (14-12) battle of attrition in the quarters to send him into the A Draw semifinals Saturday.

In the B Draw, Barry’s Nico Dreer won two matches, including a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 quarterfinals win. Bucs teammate Kevin Sielmann also won two matches, both in straight sets to advance to Saturday’s semifinals.

Barry’s Renato Lombardi advanced to the C Draw semifinals with two wins, including a 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 opening-round match victory. Fabian Pronnet also won twice to advance to the C semis, picking up a 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 victory in the quarters.

In the D Draw, Barry’s Franco Echenique won twice, surviving a three-set quarterfinal test, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, to advance to Saturday’s semifinals. Teammate Ajdin Tahirovic also will make a semifinals appearance after picking up the second of his two wins, 7-6, (7-5), 6-2, in the quarterfinals.

Barry’s Austin Cruz won his opening-round match in the E Draw, 6-3, 7-6 (10-8).

Play continues through Sunday in the final event of the fall season.