Nov. 2, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men’s tennis player Bruno Agostinelli, ranked 19th in the nation, defeated the country’s number one player, Oleksandr Nedovyesov of Oklahoma State, Sunday morning during the Charles Fluitt Intercollegiate Classic semifinals in a nail biting three-set match. The final round of matches will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at the Boone Indoor Tennis Center, admission is free.
All four top seeds advanced to the semifinals, including Baylor’s Denes Lukacs ranked No. 2 by the ITA pre-season polls.
“This tournament is one of the best in the country in the fall because all the best players are here,” Head Coach Dennis Emery said. “They’re competing for the rankings points but also for the wildcard into the prestigious Western and Southern Masters Series event next summer.”
Agostinelli outplayed the Cowboy, 6-1 in the first set. Again the Wildcat earned the first two games but Nedovyesov held Agostinelli for a 6-2 victory, splitting the match.
Last month at the ITA All-American Championships, Agostinelli faced the Oklahoma State player only to be forced to retire due to leg cramps.
For the third straight set, Agostinelli held his opponent to a 2-0 start. The Cowboy earned his first game after being down 3-0, starting his fierce comeback. Kentucky went on to stay on top, 5-2, needing only one more game to secure advancement into the finals, but Nedovyesov pressed on to win the next three games.
At 5-5, it was anyone’s match. Beginning with a UK serve, the two players remained neck and neck, alternating points. Agostinelli kept his lead, delivering on his serve to go up, 6-5.
“Bruno went up a set and break, playing great and this guy had all the answers,” Emery said. “He forced Bruno to take his game to even a higher gear. To quote Cawood Ledford from the Duke game, `And that’s why they are number one.”
As the Cowboy took to the service line, Agostinelli broke Nedovyesov, allowing no opponent points and securing the match, 7-5.
“This is the second time in his college career that Bruno has beaten the No. 1 player in the country,” Emery stated. “So few people have that opportunity and to have the game and composure to do it twice is a real testament to Bruno’s ability.”
Agostinelli will face the nation’s No. 2 player, Lukacs in the final round. Lukacs defeated Tennessee’s fourth seeded Boris Conkic in a three-set duel, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.
The Fluitt field features players from several prominent tennis schools including Illinois, Tennessee and Xavier.
UK sponsors the Invitational in memory of the late Charles Fluitt who was a victim of the 1996 ValuJet plane crash in south Florida. He was the father of former UK tennis star Marcus Fluitt. In addition to playing an annual tournament in his name, UK tennis honored its fallen friend by dedicating Court No. 4 of the Boone Varsity Tennis Center as Charles Fluitt Memorial Court.
Play begins Sunday at 8:30 a.m. followed by matches scheduled at 10:00 a.m. and concluding with the tournament final slated for 1:00 p.m.
For more information on the 2009 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati, visit Cincytennis.com.
Click on UKathletics.com the latest men’s tennis news and recaps of tournament action this weekend.
