BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's tennis' sophomore Lucas Gonzalez won his quarterfinal and semifinal match in the Birmingham CC Invitational on Saturday to advance to the first-place match on Sunday.

Gonzalez will face Lipscomb's Daniel Cardenas in the final of the red singles draw.  He beat UAB'S Kenton Partonk in straight sets 6-0, 6-3.  He then beat Eduardo Lourido of Samford 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.

"It was another day of solid performances," said head coach Nick Brochu.  "The best performance came from Lucas who won both matches and reached the final.  During his last match, he even fought off cramps to close his match.  He showed a lot of heart."

Also in the red singles draw junior Oliver Gingras fell to Cardenas in the quarterfinals 6-2, 6-4, but then beat Louisville's Michael Quang in straight sets 6-1, 6-3.  He will face Tulane's Eric Wagner on Sunday in the third-place match.

In the navy singles draw, senior Juan Cruz Soria dropped a tough quarterfinal match against Tim Ruetzel of Tulane, with Ruetzel just edging out Soria in both sets 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5).  Soria responded with a victory in his next match, topping Samford's Justin Ghavami 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.  Senior Pierre Noyon dropped his quarterfinal match in the consolation bracket 6-1, 6-3 to Alejandro Manzanares of Lipscomb.  He fell in his second match 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 to Eastern Kentucky's Guillem Sanchis.

"Juan Cruz had two big battles," said Brochu.  "He dropped an extremely close one this morning but regrouped and won a big match to secure a spot for the third and fourth match up tomorrow."

In doubles, Soria and Gingras won the third-place match in the navy doubles draw against Samford's Jake Faundez and Eduardo Lourido 7-5.   Gonzalez and Noyon were topped 7-5 in the first-place match in the red doubles draw by UAB'S Fourie and Parton.

"Doubles went well today," said Brouchu.  "We are starting to be more aggressive."

South Alabama wraps up the Birmingham CC Invitational on Sunday.

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