Sept. 26, 2014
Atlanta, Ga. - All four of Auburn's entrants advanced into the quarterfinals in singles play Friday at the Georgia Tech Invitational in Atlanta.
In the round of 16, junior Joseph Van Dooren, the top seed in the White Group, defeated Luiz Pinto of UAB, 7-6 (5), 6-2. Sophomore Dante Saleh, the second seed in the White Group, defeated Austin Bates of Florida Gulf Coast, 7-6 (5), 6-2.
Also in White Group play, sophomore Petar Tomic defeated Jannis Koeke of Georgia State, 6-4, 6-2.
Sophomore Oliver Plaskett, third-seeded in the tournament's Gold Group, defeated Matthew Hill of UAB, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4.
"Our guys played well today," said Auburn assistant coach Martin Stiegwardt. "Some of them were a little tentative and nervous since it was their first tournament, but all were able to pull through. Pete (Tomic) won a very good match against an extremely solid opponent; it was good to see him improve.
"Overall, it was a good first round, but the guys know they have to keep getting better in order to compete at a higher level."
In doubles quarterfinal action, the team of Saleh and Tomic defeated Felipe Jaworski and Jannis Koeke of Georgia State, 8-6. The team of Plaskett and Van Dooren was defeated by Austin Bates and Lucas Vaz of Florida Gulf Coast, 8-7 (5).
Competition continues Saturday morning, with the finals on Sunday.