EUGENE, Ore. – Portland men's tennis had a number of players advance in both singles and doubles after day one of the Duck Invitational hosted by Oregon at the Student Tennis Center. The Pilots finished 6-2 in singles matches and 5-2 in doubles to open the tournament.

Senior Carlos Donat and freshman Nicklas Oberg advanced in straight sets in the opening round of the top flight singles draw against competitors from Portland State. Freshman Sema Pankin pulled out a three-set win against Pacific's Ross Watson as well.

In the Yellow Singles Draw, freshmen Leo Hibi, Eleftherios Neos and Issa Yoshida all advanced in straight sets in the opening round.

Friday had two rounds of doubles play with two of Portland's four teams reaching the semifinals. Donat and Pankin paired up for comfortable wins against teams from Boise State and Portland State. Junior Andrew Newell and Oberg also reached the semis with victories against Portland State and Pacific.

"I felt like we had a great day today," Portland head coach Aaron Gross. "The doubles was really nice. Andrew and Nick, who is a birthday boy today, came from 6-3 down to beat a very solid team and move into the semi's along with Carlos and Sema. Six of our eight guys had first round wins in singles this afternoon. Sema was very impressive in winning a decisive third set against a very strong player from Pacific."

In addition to Portland and host Oregon, players from Boise State, Pacific and Portland State are competing at the tournament. Action continues on Saturday with main draw and consolation singles and doubles. The tournament will conclude on Sunday. This is the final fall event for Portland.

Duck Invitational
Eugene, Ore. (Student Tennis Center)
Nov. 2-4, 2018

Green Singles
16 Sema Pankin (POR) def. Ross Watson (PAC) 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-1
16 Carlos Donat (POR) def. Avery West (PSU) 6-1, 6-1
16 Nicklas Oberg (POR) def. Nikola Dimitrijevic (PSU) 6-2, 6-2
16 Matteo Fortini (PSU) def. Tom Hann (POR) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1

Yellow Singles
16 Leo Hibi (POR) def. Majeed Bukhari (PSU) 6-4, 6-2
16 Eleftherios Neos (POR) def. Nathan Hampton (PAC) 6-2, 6-1
16 Issa Yoshida (POR) def. Gabe Souza (PSU) 6-0, 6-4
16 Simon Arca Costas (BSU) def. Andrew Newell (POR) 6-4, 6-3

Doubles Draw
16 Donat/Pankin (POR) def. Maximilien Blancaneaux/Simon Stenlund (BSU) 8-1
16 Neos/Hann (POR) def. Arca/Wyatt Demulling (BSU) 8-6                            
16 Newell/Oberg (POR) def. Souza/Sam Roberts (PSU) 8-0
16 Bukhari/Dimitrijevic (PSU) def. Yoshidi/Hibi (POR) 8-7 (4)
QF Donat/Pankin (POR) def. Lucas Castelo Branco/Fortini (PSU) 8-3
QF Newell/Oberg (POR) def. Philip Hjorth/Watson (PAC) 8-6
QF Ty Gentry/Ethan Young-Smith (UO) def. Neos/Hann (POR) 8-3