September 8, 2012

Tech duo stuns second-seeded Gator pair in Southern Intercollegiates

Tennessee Tech's unseeded duo of Syrym Abdukhalikov and Alejandro Augusto claimed a surprising 8-4 victory over the second-seeded pair from the University of Florida to highlight the first day of play Friday at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships.

ATHENS, Ga. -- Tennessee Tech's unseeded duo of Syrym Abdukhalikov and Alejandro Augusto claimed a surprising 8-4 victory over the second-seeded pair from the University of Florida to highlight the first day of play Friday at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships.

Abdukhalikov, a senior from Almaty, Kazakhstan, received the toughest draw of the tournament in singles play, facing top-seeded Bob van Overbeek of Florida. The Gator senior posted a 6-4, 6-2 victory, dropping Abdukhalikov into the consolation bracket.

Later in the day, however, the pair met again in doubles action and this time the Golden Eagles bit back. van Overbeek and playing partner Billy Federhofer were the No. 2 seed in the field, and Abdukhalikov and Augusto gained some revenge with an 8-4 victory.

Their opponent Saturday in the Round of 16 hasn't been determined. In Division I singles consolation play, Abdukhalikov will meet Hunter Harrington of Clemson Saturday morning.

It was the second win of the day for Augusto, who was named the OVC Newcomer of the Year last season. Augusto, a sophomore from Madrid, Spain, was topped in a thrilling first set tie-breaker, 7-6 (5), before fighting back to win the next two, 6-3 and 6-2. He's scheduled to face Zach WIlder of Ole Miss Saturday in the second round.

Vasily Eremeev took the first set off Albert Codina Sala of Georgia Southern but lost in three sets, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, in the Division II singles bracket. He will meet Colby Shaw of Lipscomb in consolation play Saturday afternoon.

Further down in the Division II singles bracket, Ezequiel Gils rolled to a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Tyler Franks in the first round and will face Georgia Tech's Colin Edwards.

In Division II doubles, Eremeev and Ezequiel Gils dropped an 8-5 decision to Grayson Mills and Rafael Berghaus of Presbyterian.

Play continues Saturday and Sunday.