SALT LAKE CITY, Utah --- Utah State men's tennis opened play at the Utah Invitational on Thursday with a trio of doubles matches against duos from Montana, followed by singles matches versus opponents from Utah and Weber State.
 
In doubles play, sophomore Jack Ninteman and freshman Sergi Mico Fenollar defeated Montana's Gustav Theilgaard and Larence Sciglitano, 6-3. Juniors David Cierny and Bodin Zarkovic fell in their match versus Montana's Oisin Shaffrey and Ed Pudney, 6-4, as did juniors Roko Savin and Javier Ruiz to Montana's Milo Benn and Moritz Stoeger, 6-4.
 
The Aggies played a total of 12 singles matches on Thursday versus six opponents from both Utah and Weber State. In the round of matches versus the Utes, Savin notched the only victory for USU with a straight-set win over Jayson Blando, 6-3, 6-2. Freshman Gabriel Chavez won his first set over Michael Blando but came up short in a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 defeat. Zarkovic also forced a third set but was unable to overcome Francisco Bastias in a 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 loss. Cierny, Mico Fenollar, and senior Felipe Acosta, all lost in straight sets to their Ute opponents.
 
USU had more success against Weber State. Chavez again won his first set and then clinched the match in the second versus Chia Chen Lin in a 7-6 (4), 6-1 victory. Mico Fenollar also won his match versus WSU's Arthur Serafim, 6-2, 6-4. Acosta captured the first set tiebreak on his way to a straight-set win over Elyes Marouani, 7-6 (4), 7-5. Cierny claimed victory as well over WSU's Tristan Sarap with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 win. Ruiz fell in his match versus WSU's Sebastian Buxman, 6-4, 6-4, while Ninteman also lost his match versus Jordan Coutinho, 7-6 (3), 6-3.
 
Play continues at the Utah Invitational on Friday and into the weekend.
 
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, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
 
Utah Invitational Results
Doubles
Oisin Shaffrey/Ed Pudney (MONT) def. David Cierny/Bodin Zarkovic (MONT) 6-4
Sergi Mico Fenollar/Jack Ninteman (USU) def. Gustav Theilgaard/Lawrence Sciglitano (MONT) 6-3
Milo Benn/Moritz Stoeger (MONT) def. Javier Ruiz/Roko Savin (USU) 6-4
 
Singles
Francisco Bastias (UTAH) def. Bodin Zarkovic (USU) 6-2, 1-6, 6-2
Bruno Caula (UTAH) def. David Cierny (USU) 7-6 (7), 6-3
Mathias Gavelin (UTAH) def. Sergi Mico Fenollar (USU) 7-5, 6-3
Bruno Krenn (UTAH) def. Felipe Acosta (USU) 6-1, 6-4
Roko Savin (USU) def. Jayson Blando (UTAH) 6-3, 6-2
Michael Blando (UTAH) def. Gabriel Chavez (USU) 5-7, 6-2, 6-2
Sebastian Buxman (WSU) def. Javier Ruiz (USU) 6-4, 6-4
David Cierny (USU) def. Tristan Sarap (WSU) 6-2, 5-7, 6-4
Sergi Mico Fenollar (USU) def. Arthur Serafim (WSU) 6-2, 6-4
Felipe Acosta (USU) def. Elyes Marouani (WSU) 7-6 (4), 7-5
Jordan Coutinho (WSU) def. Jack Ninteman (USU) 7-6 (3), 6-3
Gabriel Chavez (USU) def. Chia Chieh Lin (WSU) 7-6 (4), 6-1
 - USU -