DENVER, Colo. – Utah State men's tennis opened play at the ITA Regionals Thursday, posting a 5-4 overall record.
 

In the opening round of singles action, freshman Arvid Hjalte was the first Aggie to advance as he defeated Nevada's Delmas N'Tcha in straight sets (6-2, 6-4). Sophomore Daniel Bushamuka also moved on, posting a three-set win (6-1, 0-6, 6-2) over Daniel Dillon from Northern Arizona. Freshman Javier Ruiz fell to BYU's Ben Gajardo, 6-1, 6-4. USU's Felipe Acosta, Sergiu Bucur and Christian Holmes each had a bye through the first round. 
 

Moving to the Round of 64, Holmes posted a three-set comeback win over NAU's Christopher Steele (2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5)), while Acosta went on to sweep Espinoza (6-3, 6-4). Bushamuka fell to Sam Tullis of BYU (1-6, 1-6) and Hjalte fell to Montana's Oisin Shaffrey (6-3, 3-6, 2-6). Bucur wrapped up the day for the Aggies, dropping a straight-set match to BYU's Jack Barnett (3-6, 1-6).
 

The Aggies had just one doubles pair in action Wednesday, as the other two had first-round byes. Bucur and Hjalte defeated Christian Damgaard-Qvist and Joaquin Espinoza from Montana State, 8-7(8).

 

Play from Denver will continue Thursday. Two Aggies remain in the main singles bracket, while the other three will move to the consolation side of the bracket. All three doubles pairs will play in the Round of 32. Action will begin at 9 a.m.

 

Fans can follow USU's men's tennis team on Twitter @USUMensTennis, on Facebook at UtahStateMensTennis or on Instagram at USUMensTennis. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter at @USUAthletics, on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics or on Instagram at @USU Athletics.
 

RESULTS
Singles Round of 128
Arvid Hjalte (USU) def. Delmas N'Tcha (NEV) 6-2, 6-4
Ben Gajardo (BYU) def. Javier Ruiz (USU) 6-1, 6-4
Daniel Bushamuka (USU) def. Daniel Dillon (NAU) 6-1, 0-6, 6-2
Felipe Acosta (USU) BYE
Sergiu Bucur (USU) BYE
Christian Holmes (USU) BYE

Singles Round of 64
Christian Holmes (USU) def. Christopher Steele (NAU) 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5)
Sam Tullis (BYU) def. Daniel Bushamuka (USU) 6-1, 6-1
Felipe Acosta (USU) def. Joaquin Espinoza (MSU) 6-3, 6-4
Jack Barnett (BYU) def. Sergiu Bucur (USU) 6-3, 6-1
Oisin Shaffrey (MON) def. Arvid Hjalte (USU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

Doubles Round of 64
Sergiu Bucur/Arvid Hjalte (USU) def. Christian Damgaard-Qvist/Joaquin Espinoza (MSU) 8-7(8)
Daniel Bushamuka/Christian Holmes (USU) BYE
Felipe Acosta/Javier Ruiz (USU) BYE

- USU -