Oct. 7, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - Freshman Raony Carvalho was the only Texas Tech men's tennis player to advance Tuesday in the ITA-American Championship in Tulsa, Okla., defeating Washington's Patrik Fischer in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

The day was not as bright for the rest of the Red Raiders, however, as Tech's three other players - Sinisa Markovic, Christian Rojmar and Gonzalo Escobar - fell in second round action of the singles qualifying bracket.

Rojmar opened the day for Tech, falling in straight sets to Graeme Kassautzki of New Mexico, 6-3, 6-0. Escobar followed by taking the first set in his match against South Florida's Lucas Jovita, 4-6, before dropping the next two sets, 6-4, 6-2. Markovic was later bounced in straight sets, 7-6 (7), 6-3, by Tobias Wernet of Minnesota.

In doubles action, Escobar and Markovic dropped their opening round match in the qualifying doubles bracket, 8-3, to Kiryl Harbatsiuk and Anton Stryhas from Sacramento State.

Carvalho will face Bartosz Golas from San Diego State Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. Rojmar and Carvalho begin play in the doubles main draw Thursday.