Nov. 2, 2012
LAS VEGAS -
The Oklahoma State men's tennis team will begin play Friday in Las Vegas at the Larry Easley Memorial Classic, hosted by the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
The Cowboys are coming off a solid performance at last month's ITA Central Division Championships, where Rifat Biktyakov reached the quarterfinals.
Biktyakov's play earned him the No. 1 overall seed in Flight One, the tournament's top division, and a first round bye at this weekend's tournament. He will face the winner of the matchup between Seminole State's Tendai Tapfuma and Arkansas' Gregoire Lehmann Friday at 1 p.m.
Also in Flight One, Chris Haworth kicks off his tournament run at 10 a.m. Friday against Dominic Bermudez of Northern Arizona University. Haworth is coming off a 1-1 individual performance at the ITA regionals. Freshman Richard Del Nunzio looks to continue his impressive OSU debut against Arturs Kazijevs (SMU) at 10 a.m. as well.
In Flight Two, Trevor Horstmann was given a first round bye and the No. 2 overall seed. Horstmann, the only Cowboy in Flight Two, will face the winner of Nate Lammons (SMU) and Cody Miller (UNLV) at 2:30 p.m.
After falling in both first round doubles matches in Minneapolis, the Cowboys look primed to make a lengthy doubles run. Biktyakov and Del Nunzio were awarded the No. 2 overall seed, pushing them into a 9 a.m. second round matchup Saturday after receiving a bye. Haworth and Horstmann will battle UNLV's Cody Miller and Willie Sublette Friday at 9 a.m.
Friday's Matches
First Round Singles
10 a.m. - Chris Haworth (OSU) vs. Dominic Bermudez (NAU)
10 a.m. - Richard Del Nunzio (OSU) vs. Arturs Kazijevs (SMU)
Second Round Singles
1 p.m. - Rifat Biktyakov (OSU) vs. Tapfuma (Seminole State)/Lehmann (Arkansas)
2:30 p.m. - Trevor Horstmann (OSU) vs. Miller (UNLV)/Lammons (SMU)
First Round Doubles
9 a.m. - Haworth/Horstmann (OSU) vs. Sublette/Miller (UNLV)
