Murali advances at Regionals
10/22/2004

St. Bonaventure senior Nikhil Murali (pictured) was the lone winner on day 1 of main draw action at the ITA Regionals on Friday.  Playing in his first main draw match,  Murali beat lucky loser Akil Burgees of Virginia Tech 6-3, 6-2.  Just about 12 hours earlier, Murali beat Burgess in the qualifying round. Murali looks to continue his form against #5 seed Dan Hanegby of Binghamton.  Senior Nikhil Murali defeated Akil Burgess of Virginia Tech today to advance to the second round.

The rest of the Bonnies did not fare as well in day 1 action.  Sophomore Alejandro Nery was dispatched 6-2, 6-1 by James Dwyer of Penn State.  Classmate Dejan Stankovic also lost his first round main draw match to Tyler Deming, the #1 player from Rutgers, 6-1, 6-4.  In doubles action the #11 seeded duo of Murali and Nery were upset in the first round by Reed Hagmann and Mickey Gallagher of Colgate 8-5.  The Bonnies other duo, Stankovic and senior Mario Arce dropped a 9-7 decision to Matthew Feldman and Johnny Lu of Yale.

Arce, the #6 seed in the singles, will begin his quest for the ITA Regional title against David Alvarado of Manhattan.

LOOKING AHEAD

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