Sept. 16, 2016
Three Auburn singles competitors and one doubles team advanced in first-day action at the Duke Bonk Invitational in North Carolina.
Conner Huertas del Pino, Brandon Laubser and Carles Sarrio each posted opening round singles wins. Huertas del Pino defeated North Carolina's Robert Kelly, the tournament's top seed, in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Huertas del Pino will face Elon's Felipe Sarrasague tomorrow in the White Bracket quarterfinals.
Brandon Laubser defeated Philip Moebius of VCU 6-4, 6-2 in the Blue Bracket and will face Maxim Khan of Wake Forest in his quarterfinal match Saturday.
Carles Sarrio, in his first action for Auburn, defeated Chris Humphreys of Elon 6-2, 6-1. Sarrio will face Ladd Harrison of North Carolina on Saturday in a Black Bracket quarterfinal match.
Max Hinnisdaels was the only Auburn player without a singles win on Friday, falling 6-1, 6-3 to Salvador Mijares of Elon in Blue Bracket action. Hinnisdaels will face Lasse Muscheites of North Carolina in consolation action Saturday.
In doubles play, Hinnisdaels and Huertas del Pino won in a walkover against a tandem from Valparaiso. VCU's Philip Moebius and Arvid Noren defeated Laubser and Sarrio 8-6 in first-round doubles action.
"I was very pleased with today's performance in singles and doubles," Auburn head coach Bobby Reynolds said about the Tigers' first fall action. "The guys went out and fought hard and gave themselves a lot of opportunities throughout the matches.
"Conner had a great win over a highly ranked player from last year, and many of the things we have been working on in practice are transitioning over to the matches.
"Tomorrow's another tough day leading off with one doubles match and then two singles matches for each player, so conditioning will be a factor in the late singles matches."