by Brandon Rebboah

MORAGA, Calif. – The Santa Clara men's tennis program advanced one singles player and its only doubles tandem entered into the second day of the Gael Classic.

Bronco senior Nicolas Vinel played two matches on Friday, winning both to advance to the quarterfinals. In the first round, Vinel defeated Ben Mirkin of Pacific in two sets before Mirkin retired with an injury (7-5; 2-1; inj.). In the round of 16, Vinel defeated No. 7 seed Saad Benkirane of Saint Mary's in three sets (0-6; 6-3; 6-2). 

Vinel battles first-seeded Riki McLachlan in the quarterfinals during Saturday's action.

Kyohhei Kamono, who was awarded a first-round bye, lost his first match in straight sets to Fresno Pacific's Kiril Sinitsyn. Kamono also lost his consolation match to Saint Mary's Sherif Hamdy.

Eugene Muchynski lost his first match to eighth-seeded Germaine Bahri from USF (6-7(5); 7-5; 6-4). Muchynski defeated Drexler Dy in the first round of the consolations. Muchynski was then awarded a second-round bye in the consolation bracket and will play Saint Mary's Steven Dawson in the quarterfinals of consolations.

In doubles play, Muchynski and Kamono defeated a Sonoma State tandem in the first round. The Bronco duo will play in the No. 2 seeded UCLA tandem of Brigham-Mkrtchian.

To view the tournament page click here.

SantaClaraBroncos.com will provide daily recaps from the Gael Classic.