University of Memphis Athletics
Tigers Capture 13 Wins at UTC Steve Baras Fall Classic
Oct 03, 2010 | Men's Tennis
Oct. 3, 2010
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--The Memphis men's tennis program returned home on Sunday after winning 11 matches in singles play and two in doubles at the 2010 UTC Steve Baras Fall Classic hosted by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The freshman class had an especially successful tournament.
Joan Marc Grimal-Ferrer, of Barcelona, Spain, was crowned champion in the top flight after defeating Orcun Seyrek (UNCG), who retired in the second set at 6-2, 4-0. Grimal-Ferrer won a total of four matches over the weekend and is now 6-1 on the year.
"This is the second year in a row we have taken home a title at the tournament," said assistant coach Mark Finnegan, who headed the group while head coach Paul Goebel was in Tulsa, Okla., at the fall national championships. "Johnny was the highlight and it's the first tournament win for us in a long time."
Fellow newcomer Cedric de Zutter, of Eeklo,Belgium, improved his record to 6-2. After winning three matches, he was upended by UNCG's Zach Reece in three sets, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5.
Two more wins were produced by Joe Salisbury of London, England--his first donning the blue and gray--while junior John Taylor won his first match against Joseph Proctor (Tennessee Tech), 6-2, 2-6, 6-0, and junior transfer Daniel Shidler did the same, defeating Matt Harris (UTC), 6-3, 6-2. Both were upended in their second matches of the tournament.
In Tulsa, Okla., the three Tigers that received bids to the pre-qualifying flight of the 2010 D'Novo/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men's All-American Championships came up short of making it to the next round.
On Saturday, junior David Henry opened up with a win against Will Vasos (Iowa), defeating him in three sets 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. Henry, who is from Chattanooga, Tenn., then played another three sets against Rob Lowe (N.C. State), and ultimately fell by a score of 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-0.
Senior Jordan Smith and freshman David O'Hare both failed to advance as well, falling in their first matches of the tournament. Smith, a Memphis native, was defeated by Timon Reichelt (Illinois State University), 6-1, 6-4, while O'Hare suffered a loss to John Collins (Maryland), 6-2, 6-2.
Up next for the enitre men's tennis program is a USTA Futures event in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 11.
Players Mentioned
