The Auburn men's tennis team went to Cary, North Carolina, this weekend to kick off their fall season at the Duke Bonk Invitational. The Tigers competed against 12 teams in the tournament and captured two titles.
Auburn's doubles team of Max Hinnisdaels and Dante Saleh took the Blue bracket doubles championship Saturday. The two defeated North Carolina's Blaine Boyden and Anudeep Kodali, 8-6.
"I'm pleased with how our guys played and competed," said assistant coach Martin Stiegwardt. "It's our first tournament of the fall, and we're not sharp yet, but it was good to see them raise their levels in competition."
Senior Marko Krickovic and Conner Huertas del Pino took the consolation final Saturday over Old Dominion's Adam Moundir and Michael Weindl with an 8-4 victory.
On Sunday, Hinnisdaels took the singles title in the finals of the Black bracket, claiming the title with four straight singles wins during the invitational. The junior had a 6-4, 6-1 win over North Carolina's Kodali in the finals.
Saleh took fifth place in the White bracket, winning 6-3, 6-4 over Duke's Adrian Chamdani. Connor Huertas del Pino finished fifth in the Blue bracket in a three-set match of Philip Mobius of VCU. Krickovic was treated for cramps after Saturday's play and did not compete in his third-place match.
"Our guys all improved and showed that they're getting closer to the competition level that we expect at Auburn," said Stiegwardt. "We played 21 matches and won 17, so it was a successful weekend."
Auburn continues fall play in Atlanta Sept. 25 in the Georgia Tech Tournament.
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