TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men’s tennis team put up an undefeated mark in doubles play at day one of the Crimson Tide Fall Championships.

The doubles teams of sophomores Daniel Leitner (Niederfischbach, Germany) and Blake Gregor (Griffith, New South Wales, Australia), and senior Alex Bernard (Soisy Sur Seine, France) and Shayann Vaezzadeh (Bavent, France) each advanced to the finals of their respective draws.

“Today was a long day but the guys did very well,” said USA head coach Nick Brochu. “We started very strong by winning all four doubles matches. I was pleased with the new ‘French Duo’ of Alex and Shayann. They had a great chemistry on the court. Daniel and Blake were very solid mentally winning both matches in a tiebreaker.”

Leitner and Gregor, playing in the Gene Stallings Draw, defeated Lucian Gheorghe and Michael Wardell of Auburn 9-8 (8-6) in the first round, and reached the final with a 9-8 (7-3) victory over Adam Bernstein and Joe Young of Tulane.

USA’s other doubles pair of Bernard and Vaezzadeh posted a pair of 8-3 victories to advance to the championship of the Ray Perkins Draw. The Jags topped Sven Ivankovic and Robbie Aru of Furman in the first round and Carlos Martinez and Jose Luque of Jackson State in the semifinals.

Leitner was the lone Jaguar to post a singles win. He advanced to the quarterfinals of the Bear Bryant Draw over Alejandro Augusto of Tennessee Tech 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

In the Nick Saban Draw, Rafael Rondino of UAB downed Bernard in straight sets 6-1, 6-4, and Yannick Born of Middle Tennessee defeated Vaezzadeh 6-4, 6-2.

Gregor fell 6-3, 6-4 to Auburn’s Dennis Lengsfeld in the Gene Stallings Draw.

“Singles was a little tougher but we still had a good showing,” Brochu said. “Daniel had a battle winning in three sets. He had great composure in tough situations. Blake had a great match against a strong Auburn opponent. I can't wait to see how we will be in singles tomorrow. We are also looking forward to winning both doubles finals tomorrow morning.”

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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