Sept. 17, 2010
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A huge win by junior Claudio Romano (Valencia, Venezuela) capped the first day of the Gator Invitational for the UCF men's tennis squad Friday. To open the three-day event at the Ring Tennis Complex, the Knights faced players from USF.
Romano met Wael Kilani, the 53rd-ranked player in the country according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. In his first match of the fall, Romano took a 7-5, 6-4 victory. He was one of two UCF players to record singles wins Friday. The Knights excelled in doubles play, taking two of three contests.
"Claudio had a big win," UCF head coach Bobby Cashman said. "Anytime you can beat a ranked opponent, it gives you a lot of confidence. I was very pleased with our doubles play, and hopefully that can be a strong point for our team."
In his first collegiate match, freshman Matthew Zachary (Bossier City, La.) defeated Sebastian Hagn, 6-2, 6-0.
Facing Hagn and Romain Deridder, senior Blaze Schwartz (Pensacola, Fla.) and junior Joe Delinks (Falmouth, Mass.) eased to an 8-1 win. Zachary joined junior Eugene Dolgovykh (Palm Coast, Fla.) in doubles, and the pair topped Federico Sabogal and Yannick Yoshizawa (8-5).
Play at the Gator Invitational will resume Saturday and conclude on Sunday.
The event in Gainesville is the first of five for the Knights this fall. Host Florida and North Florida are also participating in the tournament.
Singles Results
Claudio Romano (UCF) def. Wael Kilani (USF) 7-5, 6-4
Lucas Jovita (USF) def. Blaze Schwartz (UCF) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
Romain Deridder (USF) def. Mario Samson (UCF) 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7)
Juan Carlos Acuna Gerard (USF) def. Joe Delinks (UCF) 6-0, 3-6, 6-2
Yannick Yoshizawa (USF) def. Eugene Dolgovykh (USF) 6-2, 6-2
Federico Sabogal (USF) def. Matthew Gladstone (UCF) 6-3, 6-3
Matthew Zachary (UCF) def. Sebastian Hagn (USF) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles Results
Schwartz/Delinks (UCF) def. Deridder/Hagn (USF) 8-1
Dolgovykh/Zachary (UCF) def. Sabogal/Yoshizawa (USF) 8-5
Kilani/Gerard (USF) def. Gladstone/Romano (UCF) 8-7 (11-9)