NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the opening round of the 2008 OVC men’s tennis tournament, UT Martin upset Eastern Kentucky University, 4-3. The Colonels conclude the season with an overall record of 16-12.

Eastern Kentucky opened play by taking the doubles point. Senior Lars Gratzki teamed with freshman Alex Das Izquierdo to win the No. 1 match, 8-3. Juniors Vadzim Ivanis and Mel Segota clinched the doubles point with a tie-break victory at No. 3 doubles.

However, the Skyhawks responded by winning four of the six singles matches, all in straight sets. The match was decided at No. 3 singles where UT Martin’s Alfredo Yesipov edged Gratzki in two tie-breakers. Das Izquierdo (No. 1) and Ivanis (No. 6) were the only victorious Colonels.

UT Martin (7-11) advances to the semifinals to face Samford tomorrow at 11 a.m.

#6 UT Martin 4, #3 Eastern Kentucky 3

Singles
1. Alex Das Izquierdo (EKU)	d. Stephan Bruwer (UTM)	6-1, 6-2
2. Andrey Yesipov (UTM)	d. Mel Segota (EKU)	6-3, 6-4
3. Alfredo Krywacz (UTM)	d. Lars Gratzki (EKU)	7-6 (3), 7-6 (6)
4. Christian Slabbert (UTM)	d. Johannes John (EKU)	7-6 (3), 6-3
5. Stewart McRae (UTM)	d. Fred Goncalves (EKU)	7-5, 6-4
6. Vadzim Ivanis (EKU)	d. Petr Markov (UTM)	6-0, 6-1
Doubles
1. Das Izquierdo/Gratzki (EKU)	d. Bruwer/Yesipov (UTM)	8-3
2. Krywacz/Slabbert (UTM)	d. Goncalves/John (EKU)	8-5
3. Ivanis/Segota (EKU)	d. Harris/McRae (UTM)	9-8