Sept. 19, 2009

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior Javier Bernabe advanced to the semifinals of the Flight "A" singles back draw with a straight-set win over his counterpart from Wright State, highlighting the Northern Illinois men's tennis team's performance in the second and final day of the Frank Beeman Invitational on the campus of Michigan State Saturday.

After being placed in the back draw following Friday's first-round action, Bernabe opened play Saturday with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Scott Dredge from Wright State. He then fell to the Raiders' Tore Waldhausen, 6-1, 7-5, in the consolation semifinal round.

Mikhail Titov, playing Sven Burus from Toledo, dropped the first set (6-3), but answered with a 6-2 win in the second frame, before retiring the match due to a minor calf injury. Due to the setback, Bernabe and Titov were forced to default their scheduled Flight "A" doubles match against Waldhausen and Dredge.

"Overall, it was a good weekend, and a good opening tournament for us," said first-year NIU head coach Patrick Fisher. "I really thought Mikhail was one of the best players in this tournament - he was really playing well before his calf stiffened up on him.

"Both guys played in the top singles flight, and definitely showed they belonged. Our focus beginning this week will be on finishing points and improving our doubles play. Those things will come with the more practices we have."