Box Score Indianapolis, Ind. - Current Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) No. 3 Flagler College men's tennis team defeated No. 9 Azusa Pacific University 4-1 in the first round of the ITA Division II Men's Team Indoor Championship this afternoon, hosted at the University of Indianapolis.

Earning their second straight ranked win, the Saints move up to 3-0 on the season while the Cougars drop to 3-1. The Saints will continue to move through the bracket as they play No. 4 University of West Florida tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the semifinal round of the championship.

A slow start in doubles was quickly answered as the Saints clinched their necessary four wins early. A heavy weight bout at court one featured Aniss Rafiq and current No. 6 Soeren Grandke. In three sets, Rafiq defeated Grandke 6-2, 6-7(7-4) and 7-5. Freshman Raphael Rousson gained his first ranked win as he faced No. 46 Joan Crespo. Rousson was the first Saint to finish his match, defeating Crespo with a 6-4 and 6-3 match. No. 27 Simon Malis defeated David James Brownlee with two 6-4 sets, keeping him undefeated when playing on court two. Filip Kana gave the Saints their third point of the day, to set Rafiq up for a clinch as he defeated Viktor Van Craenenbroeck 7-5 and 6-7.

Before the stoppage, Freshman Oliver Hradilek was winning his second set 3-1 after he took set one 6-4 against Ben Behrend. Despite the doubles loss, Malis and Noah Paterson were in line for a victory before the stoppage, as the pair were up 6-6(5-4).