Elon Men’s Tennis’ Sarrasague Shines at Duke James Bonk Invite

CARY, N.C. – Felipe Sarrasague advanced the finals of his singles flight and finished with a record of 3-1 at the Duke James Bonk Invite, where a portion of the Elon University men’s tennis team opened its fall season this weekend.

“I was very impressed with our players on a great start to the fall season,” Elon head coach Michael Leonard said. “We competed well against a strong field, got a lot out of the experience and are looking forward to the remaining tournaments this fall. It was great to see Felipe have such a strong showing by getting to the finals.”

Elon was joined by North Carolina, N.C. State, North Florida, Auburn, Duke, Wake Forest, Florida, Virginia Commonwealth, Valparaiso and Radford as participants in the event.

HIGHLIGHTS
Competing in the White Singles flight, Sarrasague defeated North Florida’s Jefta Kecic, Auburn’s Conner Huertas del Pino and Duke’s Catalin Mateas in straight sets to advanced to the finals. Sarrasague competed against Christian Seraphim of Wake Forest in the final match, where he suffered a 6-4, 6-4 loss.

Mario Paccini also went 3-1 in singles play, dropping his opening match of the Blue Singles flight before reeling off three straight victories in the consolation portion.

Paccini defeated Radford’s Alexandros Caldwell 6-3, 7-5 and topped UNC Charlotte’s Oriol Puig Forne 7-6(6), 6-3 to earn a spot in the consolation finals, where he won a three-set match against nationally-ranked Maxime Hinnisdaels of Auburn.

Salvador Mijares went 2-2 in singles play, also picking up a win against the nationally-ranked Hinnisdaels.

Chris Humphreys picked up a pair of singles victories over opponents from Radford in the event.

Sarrasague and Paccini teamed up in doubles action, going 2-1 as a duo. Mijares and Humphreys faced off against UNC’s Harrison/Hoskins, falling 8-6.

RESULTS
Friday, Sept. 16
White Singles (Round of 16)
Felipe Sarrasague def. Jefta Kecic (UNF) 6-3, 6-2

Blue Singles (Round of 16)
Salvador Mijares (ELON) def. Maxime Hinnisdaels (AUB) 6-1, 6-3
Joshua Peck (UNC) def. Mario Paccini (ELON) 6-4, 6-3

Black Singles (Round of 16)
Carles Sarrio (AUB) def. Chris Humphreys (ELON) 6-1, 6-3

Blue Doubles (Quarterfinals)
Sarrasague/Paccini (ELON) def. Belga/Sarkissov (UF) 8-4
Semifinals
Lin/Mateas (DUKE) def. Sarrasague/Paccini (ELON) 8-5

Black Doubles
Harrison/Hoskins (UNC) def. Mijares/Humphreys 8-6

Saturday, Sept. 17
White Singles (Quarterfinals)
Felipe Sarrasague def. Conner Huertas del Pino (AUB) 6-1, 6-3
Semifinals
Felipe Sarrasague def. Catalin Mateas (DUKE) 7-6 (1), 6-2

Blue Singles (Quarterfinals)
TJ Pura (DUKE) def. Salvador Mijares (ELON) 6-1, 6-4
Consolation Quarterfinals
Mario Paccini (ELON) def. Alexandros Caldwell (RAD) 6-3, 7-5
Consolation Semifinals
Mario Paccini (ELON) def. Oriol Puig Forne (UNCC) 7-6 (6), 6-3
Fifth Place Bracket
TJ Pura (DUKE) def. Salvador Mijares (ELON) 5-7, 6-2, 6-1

Black Singles
Consolation Quarterfinals
Chris Humphreys (ELON) def. Carlos Sala (RAD) 6-0, 6-1
Consolation Semifinals
Charlie Emhardt (VALPO) def. Chris Humphreys (ELON) 6-4, 1-6, 7-5

Blue Doubles (Third Place)
Sarrasague/Paccini (ELON) def. Mobius/Noren (VCU) 8-2

Sunday, Sept. 18
White Singles (Finals)
Christian Seraphim (WFU) def. Felipe Sarrasague (ELON) 6-4, 6-4

Blue Singles (Consolation Finals)
Mario Paccini def. Maxime Hinnisdaels (AUB) 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3

Black Singles (Consolation Third Place)
Chris Humphreys (ELON) def. Samuel Taylor (RAD) 2-6, 6-3, 6-1