MERCER, Ga. - The Flagler College men's tennis team wrapped up their second tournament of the season at the Mercer University Gridiron Classic this afternoon after an impressive first two days. Flagler ended the weekend with three finals appearances in the main flights of the tournament.

THE SERVE
The Mercer Gridiron Classic featured a Division I heavy attendance with the addition of three Division II institutes. Flagler ended their second tournament of the fall season with a doubles final appearance by the pairing of Simon Malis/Artiom Dorofeev and Kenneth Rabinad-Vila/Filip Kana. In singles play Oliver Hradilek advanced to the finals of the B1 bracket. 

Topping off the tournament undefeated, Hradilek was one of four Saints to compete in the B1 bracket. In his journey to the finals, Hradilek defeated Cooper Dillon of Barry University 2-6, 6-3 and 6-3. Following that up, Hradilek defeated Troy's Til Ole Li Zimmermann 7-6 (7-2) and 6-1. In his final match, Hradilek defeated teammate Rabinad-Vila, 6-1 and 6-0. Within B1, Rabinad-Vila advanced the second furthest as he defeated Georgia College & State University's Chase Martin, 6-4 and 6-0 and Alexander Achour of Middle Georgia State University, 1-6, 6-4 and 6-2. Aly El Rafie notched one win in the B1 bracket over Mercer's Esteban Davila Gasser, 6-4 and 6-4. Kana opened his play with a 6-3 and 6-3 victory over Georgia Southern University's Davis Taylor. Following that up, the junior notched a second win against Mostafa Elbasnaly of University of North Georgia, 6-2, 2-6, 10-5.

In the B2 bracket, Noah Paterson earned one win due to retirement over David Munoz Botia, 6-4 and 4-1. In the main draw, Simon Malis advanced to the quarterfinal round of the tournament after defeated Kennesaw State representative Xavier Ferrer 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4). Malis went on to win a second match over North Georgia's Alex Despoja, 6-3 and 6-4. In doubles, the pairing of Rabinad-Vila/Kana and Malis/Dorofeev met in the final round of the main draw. The tandem of Kana and Rabinad-Vila opened play with a 6-2 victory over Kennesaw State University's Ben Hudson and Dominic Ducariu. In the second round, the pair defeated Georgia States' Arthur Attrill and Alvaro Perez, 6-1. To advance to the finals, the duo defeated Mercer's Alex Aldaz Alviz and Esteban Davila Gasser, 6-2. Malis and Dorofeev faced Alex Han and Landon Ecarma of Furman University whom they defeated 6-4. Facing familiar faces in round two, the pair defeated North Georgia's Anton Krondell and Alex Despoja, 6-3. To advance to the final round, the pairing defeated Mercer's Pablo Paternostro and Shingo Masuda, 6-3.

KEY NOTES & STATS

• Flagler was one of three institutes to have a doubles and singles appearance in the final rounds of the tournament. 
• Simon Malis is the only Saint in the A bracket to advance to the quarterfinal round of the tournament.
• Oliver Hradilek is now 1-1 against Cooper Dillon after meeting him for the first time at the NCAA DII National Championship.
• Based on the ITF World Tennis Number, Kenneth Rabinad-Vila(10.84) upset both his opponents, Martin(10.65) and Achour(10.84) to reach the semifinal round of the B1 bracket.
• This is the second consecutive year Filip Kana has advanced to the finals round of doubles play at the Mercer Gridiron Classic.
• Flagler has had at least one pair advance to the final round of doubles play since attending the Mercer Gridiron Classic.
• Oliver Hradilek is the first Saint to advance to the final round in singles play.

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