November 03, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Mississippi State men's tennis team had their bid ended at the Birmingham Futures, played on clay courts at Highland Park in Birmingham, Ala.
After winning three-straight matches in qualifying, State's sophomore Artem Ilyushin fell in the first round of the main draw to former-Arkansas' Razorback Blake Strode, in a tight three-set bout7-5, 1-6, 6-2.
MSU's sophomore Louis Cant managed four victories in the tournament before slipping up in the first round of the main draw to former-Florida Gator Gregory Ouellette in two very-close sets, 7-6(4), 7-5.
"It was another successful tournament where I felt like we were improving," said head coach Per Nilsson. "Both Louis (Cant) and Artem (Ilyushin) had chances to beat two former top-five players in college tennis."
MSU turns their attention to the final tournament of the fall, the Virginia Tech Invitational, which will begin on Friday, Nov. 6, in Blacksburg, Va.
BIRMINGHAM FUTURES
Birmingham, Ala. - 11/3/09
SINGLES - MAIN DRAW
First Round - Blake Strode def. Artem Ilyushin (MSU) 7-5, 1-6, 6-2; Gregory Ouellette def. Louis Cant (MSU) 7-6(4), 7-5.
Courtesy: mstateathletics.com
