April 24, 2009

April 24, 2009

MONROEVILLE, Pa. - George Washington freshman Ugur Atalay recorded an impressive 6-3, 6-2 victory from second-flight singles before teaming with fellow freshman Richard Blumenfield to capture a top-flight doubles match to lead the top-seeded Colonials past eighth-seeded Saint Joseph's, 4-0, on the opening day of the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Tennis Championship on Friday at Club 4 Life.

Vying for their first title in 30 years, the Colonials will face fourth-seeded St. Bonaventure on Saturday at 11:00am in the semifinal round. The Bonnies picked up a 4-1 win over fifth-seeded Charlotte in the second round after the 49ers took a 4-0 decision over No. 12 Fordham.

Sophomore Bobby Deye posted a 7-5, 6-2 victory from the sixth-flight and paired with sophomore Brian Starr to take a their second-flight doubles match, 8-5, as defending champion Xavier turned aside No. 7 Duquesne to advance to Saturday's semifinals. Deye's victories in singles and doubles were the clinching point for the Musketeers, who will square off against third-seeded Saint Louis at 2:00pm. The Dukes, who registered a 4-1 win over 10th-seeded Richmond in their first match of the day, will face No. 6 Temple.

Saint Joseph's bested No. 9 Dayton in a hard-fought opening round contest, emerging with a 4-2 victory. The Hawks were led by senior Phil Bayliss, who notched a 6-3, 6-1 second-flight victory over Dayton junior Matt Sherman after teaming with junior Hawk teammate Michael Stauble in a thrilling 9-8 (10-8) doubles victory from the first flight.

Richmond, which holds the record for the most league titles of any current A-10 program, is slated to take on No. 11 La Salle. The Explorers lost in the opening round to the Owls, 4-0.

Temple hopes to rebound from a 4-3 loss to No. 3 Saint Louis, which was clinched in dramatic fashion by junior James McArthur to conclude the final match of the day, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

Play continues at 8:00am Saturday with Dayton and Fordham competing in the opening matches along with La Salle and Richmond. For complete coverage of the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Tennis Championship, log on to www.atlantic10.org