Trojan Men Set To Open Fall Season

Friday, October 22

Tuscaloosa, AL

All Day

Troy University

hosted by University of Alabama

10/21/2010 9:20:54 PM | Tennis (M)

Troy will be in competition for the first time this fall

By: Travis Jarome

Singles Draw | Doubles Draw

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - After being off the courts since May following the NCAA Regional, the men's tennis team will hit the courts of the University of Alabama Tennis Stadium this weekend as it participates in the 2010 USTA/ITA Southern Regional Championships. The four-day event will begin on Friday, Oct. 22, and end on Monday, Oct. 25.

"This will be a good measuring stick to see where we are this early," Troy head coach Eric Hayes said. "We have to replace some good players, but we have guys who are capable of doing that. I am looking forward to seeing our guys get on the court and compete with some of the best players from the region."

A total of 13 teams from the states of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi will be competing this weekend. The teams slated to participate are Alabama, Auburn, Jacksonville State, Louisiana at Lafayette, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Samford, South Alabama, Southern Mississippi, Troy, Tulane, and UAB.

The Trojans last saw competitive action at the NCAA Regionals, where they fell to Auburn University in the opening round. Only three players return from that time that saw action on the court, as senior Mario Rolemberg leads the way for the Trojans returning after an All-Conference performance last season.

He is joined by Branko Weber and doubles specialist Anas Rouchdi as members of the 2010 Sun Belt Conference championships to return for another season.

This weekend, the Trojans will send familiar faces with the new faces into competition. Weber will be compete unseeded and receives a bye to the round of 64 where he will face the winner of Christian Kuehne of South Alabama and Oliver Brosos of LSU. Meanwhile, Rouchdi will be forced to play in the opening round as he takes on Tom Puetz of UAB, with the winner facing Ian Chadwell of Alabama in the second round.

Rolemberg will be action in the opening round as he takes on Rodrigo Rappaccioli of Tulane, with the winner facing ninth-seeded Jarryd Botha of Alabama. Newcomer Sami Ghorbel will face Oliver Reynolds of Samford in the opening round, with the winner facing Lucas Viel of South Alabama.

Meanwhile, Jamie Eccleton will face Yanitl Mandel of Louisiana-Lafayette in the opening round, with the winner facing seeded Matle Stropp of Mississippi State in the Round of 64.

In doubles action, the Trojans will be looking to field three new doubles teams this season and one of those - the team of Tommy Cundy and Ghorbel - will be action in the Round of 32 against the team of Igor Santos and Felix Watanabe. Another team - this one of Weber and Eccleton - will face Eric Matthieson and Axel Sundberg in the opening round; with the winner facing Scott Foster and Carson Kadi in the Round of 32.

Meanwhile, Rolemberg and Rouchdi will be paired together this season heading into the fall, and the duo will face fifth-seeded Romain Bocart of Lucas Viel in the opening round of the tournament.

Action will begin at 8:30 a.m. CT on Friday and will last throughout the day. Results and draws will be posted once they become available.

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