University of Arizona
New Mexico Balloon Fiesta Invitational
Cats Dominate at First Day of Balloon Fiesta Invitational
10/10/2015 | Men's Tennis
TUCSON, Ariz – Arizona was dominant on the first day of the Balloon Fiesta Invitational Tournament at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM., as all four of the competing Cats claimed victories in singles play and the one doubles tandem advanced to the next round.
Trevor James got things started for the Wildcats with straight set victory over Paul Demanski from Abilene Christian University. The first set was a close fight, but James was able to pull out the win in a tiebreak to take the first set 7-6. James used the momentum from his first set win and took the second set in convincing fashion to win the match by a final score of 7-6, 6-2, and move on to the next round.
Matt Dunn also won his match against Donovan Cellupica from New Mexico State University in straight sets. Dunn blanked Cellupica in the first set 6-0 and was up 1-0 in the second set until Cellupica had to retire the match due to injury. Dunn moves on to the second round with his 6-0, 1-0 (ret inj) victory.
Will Adkisson kept the victories rolling for the Cats as he grinded out a three set win over Adi Zilberstein from Northern Arizona. Adkisson took the first set 6-4, but Zilberstein was quickly able to regroup and win the second set, 6-4. Adkisson remained composed as he handled Zilberstein in the third set for a 6-3 win. The final score was 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in Adkission's favor.
Will Kneale finished off singles play for Arizona in a three set win against Strahinja Trecakov from New Mexico State University to push the Cats to 4-0 on the day in singles competition. After dropping the first set 3-6, Kneale remained un-phased and claimed the second set 6-3. Both players fought hard in the deciding third set, but Kneale was able to outlast Strahinja and win the set 7-5, to take the match by a final score of 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
The Wildcats were also victorious in their lone doubles match of the day. In a tight match, the tandem of Adkisson and James defeated the pair of Zilberstein and Lee from Northern Arizona 8-6, to push Arizona's overall record on the day to 5-0 at the Balloon Fiesta Invitational.
Out at the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Okla., Naoki Takeda competed in his second round match of the tournament. Takeda took the first set over No. 35 Shane Vinsant from Texas A&M in a tight 7-6 (3) win. However, Vinsant was able to regroup and take the second and third sets, 6-2, 6-1, to win the match by a final score of 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-1.
Second round action of the Balloon Fiesta Invitational tournament continues tomorrow out at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM.
First Round Results
Trevor James (UofA) def. Paul Demanski (ACU) 7-6, 6-2
Will Adkisson (UofA) def. Adi Zilberstein (NAU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
Matt Dunn (UofA) def. Donovan Cellupica (NMSU) 6-0, 1-0 (ret inj)
Will Kneale (UofA) def. Strahinja Trecakov (NMSU) 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
Adkisson and James (UofA) def. Zilberstein and Lee (NAU) 8-6
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