WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. –
Christos Kyrillou won a in a third set tie-break at No. 1 singles on Saturday afternoon lifting Eastern Illinois men's tennis to its first victory of the season as the Panthers beat Bellarmine 4-3 in the first of two matches on the day. EIU would fall in the evening match 7-0 to Big Ten member Purdue.
Kyrillou came up big for the Panthers in all phases of the 4-3 win over Bellarmine. Playing at number one doubles with
Thomas Wallace, Kyrillou helped the Panthers secure the doubles point in the match as EIU won 7-6 with a 7-5 win in the tie-break.
Wallace then pushed the Panthers lead to 2-0 in the match with his win at No. 6 singles over Matthew Rice by a score of 6-0, 6-0. It was the fifth singles win of the season for Wallace.
Bellarmine would win the next three points in singles play to take a 3-2 edge in the match.
Charles Courteau evened the contest at 3-3 with a his win at No. 4 singles beating Emil Berglund 6-4, 6-0.
The win set the stage for Kyrillou at No. 1 singles as he was able to beat Cole Groestsch in three sets by a score of 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7).
In the night cap, Purdue quickly jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the match winning the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. The No. 3 doubles contest was left unfinished tied at 5-5. Courteau and
Pau Riera were teamed at No. 3 doubles for the Panthers in the match.
In the singles competition the Boilermakers won all six singles matches in two sets.
Cameron Slabbert slid up to play at No. 1 singles losing 6-2, 6-3. Courteau moved up to No. 2 singles while
Tyler Carlin played at No. 3 singles in the match.
EIU finished the day at 1-11 overall. Bellarmine is now 3-5. Purdue improved to 5-6.
