Oct. 30, 2011
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Penn State men's tennis team began opening rounds of singles competition at the Big Ten Indoor Championships Saturday. Four Nittany Lions took the court in search of bringing the singles crown back to Happy Valley. Singles competition will continue tomorrow at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex.
Junior Bryan Welnetz (Laredo, Texas) began first round competition as the No. 11 seed against Eli Brown of Michigan. Welnetz could not overcome Brown though, falling, 6-4, 6-4, and entering the consolation bracket where he faced Iowa's Connor Gilmore. Welnetz took down Gilmore quickly (6-3, 6-1) to advance to the second round of consolation bracket play Sunday.
Freshman Tomas Hanzlik (Prague, Czech Republic) continued his strong play Saturday afternoon, advancing to the second round of main draw play. The Nittany Lion stand out took down No. 19 seeded Marc Bruche of Iowa in an exciting bout. Bruche took the first set in a tie-breaker, but Hanzlik rebounded to take the second set, 6-3. The pair went to a tie-breaker in the decisive third set before Hanzlik emerged triumphant.
The freshman then took on Alex Petrone of Michigan in the second round. Hanzlik forced a tie-breaker in the first set before eventually falling, 7-6. Petrone then took the second set, 6-1, sending Hanzlik to the consolation bracket in Sunday's action.
In the final first round match of the day, sophomore Chris Young (Melbourne, Australia) fell to Juan Pablo Martinez of Minnesota, 7-6, 6-1. Young then dropped to the consolation bracket where he fell to Iowa's Will Vasos (6-0, 6-2). Also, after earning a bye and an automatic berth into the second round, sophomore Russell Bader (Austin, Texas) defeated Wisconsin's Billy Bertha, 6-2, 6-4, to advance to the third round.
After the Big Ten Indoor Championships, the Nittany Lions will return home until the spring season begins. They will kick off the spring season by traveling to Raleigh, N.C. Sunday, Jan. 22 to take on the N.C. State Wolfpack at noon.
Singles:
Main Draw:
Round 1) Eli Brown (MICH) def. Bryan Welnetz (PSU), 6-4, 6-4
Round 1) Tomas Hanzlik (PSU) def. Marc Bruche (IOWA), 6-7, 6-3, 7-6
Round 1) Juan Pablo Martinez (MINN) def. Chris Young (PSU), 7-6, 6-1
Round 2) Alex Petrone (MICH) def. Tomas Hanzlik (PSU), 7-6, 6-1
Round 2) Russell Bader (PSU) def. Billy Bertha (WISC), 6-2, 6-4
Consolation Draw:
Round 1) Bryan Welnetz (PSU) def. Connor Gilmore (IOWA), 6-3, 6-1
Round 1) Will Vasos (IOWA) def. Chris Young (PSU), 6-0, 6-2