Oct. 19, 2002
Columbia, S.C. – Georgia Tech senior Roger Anderson, junior Joao Menano and freshman Marko Rajevac each advanced to the round of 16 with singles wins on the first day of play at the South Carolina Fall Invitational in Columbia, S.C.
Anderson opened the day for the Yellow Jackets in the A-1 Singles Draw with a victory in the round of 32 over Tennessee’s Mark Henderson. Anderson won the first set in solid fashion by a 6-3 score, but dropped the second set 6-1. He then rallied for a 6-0 win in the decisive third set. Anderson will face Lighton Muchinda of South Carolina Spartanburg in the next round on Saturday.
Menano was even more impressive in his opening match with Wofford’s Brandon Smith, dropping only three games in a straight-set victory. Menano won the first set by a 6-3 score before rolling to a 6-0 victory in the second frame. He will now face Hampton’s Valter Paiva in the next round.
Yellow Jacket rookie Marko Rajevac was the third first-round winner of the day for Tech, as he picked up a three-set victory over UAB’s Rusty Walker. Rajevac lost the first set by a 6-4 count, but rebounded to win the next two sets by scores of 6-4 and 6-2.
Tech junior Jason Pieters dropped his opening match in the B-1 Singles draw to College of Charleston’s Milos Lizic by a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 score, but bounced back in the consolation draw with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Florida A&M’s Kamau Murray.
The South Carolina Fall Invitational will continue on Saturday with two rounds of singles play and the first two rounds of doubles play.
