Sept. 22, 2001

The University of Kentucky men’s tennis team opened its fall schedule on Friday, Sept. 21, at the Southern Collegiate Championships at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga. The Wildcats advanced in both singles and doubles action.

In singles, newcomer Jesse Witten defeated Luis Carvalho of Mississippi State in three sets, 6-1,4-6,6-3, while teammate Elliott Datlow defeated Martin English of Mercer (6-1, 6-2). Rahim Esmail knocked out Stetson’s Viltono Vratta in two sets. Senior Gustov Pousette defeated Rafael Rodriguez of Jacksonville (6-0, 6-2), while fellow senior Cat Johan Grunditz lost to Angelo Nichelescu of South Carolina in two tough sets.

The doubles teams of Grunditz/Witten and Esmail/Pousette grabbed victories in the first and second rounds of action. The duo of Esmail and Pousette received a bye for the first round while Grunditz and Witten faced up against Stetson’s team of Bross and Demichelli.

Both singles and doubles action will resume on Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex with the first matches set to begin at 8 a.m.

AGATESinglesJesse Witten, UK def. Luis Carvalho, Miss.St.                   6-1, 4-6, 6-3Rahim Esmail, UK def. Viltono Vratta, Stetson                   6-2, 7-5Gustov Pousette, UK def. Rafael Rodriguez, Jacksonville         6-0, 6-2Angelo Nichelescu, USC def. Johan Grunditz, UK                  2-6, 6-7Elliott Datlow, UK def. Martin English, Mercer                  6-1, 6-2

Doubles
First RoundGrunditz/Witten, UK def. Bross/Demichelli, Stetson 8-3Esmail/Pousette, UK BYESecond RoundGrunditz/Witten, UK def. Harris/Reynolds, Vanderbilt 8-3Esmail/Pousette, UK def. Zaman/Zrihen, UAB 8-4