University of Minnesota Athletics
Three Gophers Advance at Big Ten Indoors
10/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
The Minnesota men's tennis team is competing in Big Ten Indoor Championships this weekend in East Lansing, Mich. Singles play began today and ends on Monday, Nov. 1. Doubles play was contested yesterday. The majority of matches this weekend are being held at host Michigan State's indoor tennis facility, while some select matches are being played at the Michigan Athletic Club.
Representing Minnesota at the event is senior Derek Peterson, juniors Phillip Arndt, Michael Sicora, Julian Dehn, Eddie Svenda and sophomore Brendan Ruddock. Minnesota had a strong day in the 64-player singles bracket, as Arndt, Sicora, Peterson, Dehn and Ruddock all won their opening-round matches. Dehn, Sicora and Ruddock all advanced to the round of 16 and will play for a quarterfinal bid on Sunday.
Ruddock started his tournament with an upset of sixth-seeded Sidarth Balaji of Northwestern. He then dropped Bruno Abdelnour of Illinois 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 and will face No. 10 seed Peter Kobelt of Ohio State in the round of 16.
Dehn won two three-set thrillers to advance to the final 16. He rallied to beat Illinois' Brian Alden 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 and then beat No. 12 seed Billy Bertha of Wisconsin 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. Dehn will meet seventh-seed Josh MacTaggart of Indiana on Sunday.
Sicora also need three sets to win both of his matches. He topped Penn State's Chris Hasyn 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3 in the first round and then came back to beat Drew Lied of Michigan State 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Sicora faces No. 13 seed Denis Bogatov of Michigan State in the round of 6.
Play on Sunday begins at 9:30 a.m.
Last week the Gophers competed in the ITA Central Regional Championships in Norman, Okla. The team completes fall play at the Nov. 12-14 Lakewood Ranch Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic in Miami, Fla.
Players Mentioned
