Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Bulldog Classic
DeVilliers Captures Singles Championship
10/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Oct. 5, 2008
Final A-draw consolation bracket 
Final B-draw consolation bracket
Final C-draw consolation bracket
FRESNO, Calif. - The 15th annual Bulldog Classic came to a close Sunday, with the Bulldogs competing in the A-draw singles final, the B-draw singles final and the A-draw doubles final.
Sophomore transfer Rikus DeVilliers. completed his first event as a Bulldog with a thrilling display in singles. The Fresno State newcomer finished the weekend with a perfect 5-0 record in singles, as well as a 4-1 record in doubles with Freshman Remi Boutillier.
The A-draw singles final featured the tournament's top seed, Pedro Zerbini of Cal. Zerbini won the first set 6-2, and looked to be in control of the match. DeVilliers fought back in the second set, gaining momentum and winning 6-3 and forcing a third and final set. DeVilliers and Zerbini battled back and forth throughout the third set. With the final set tied 6-6, DeVilliers won the tie-breaker 7-3, to capture the title 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(7-3).
"I'm happy with my performance this weekend," DeVilliers said. "I felt I could have played better, but I fought back in the third set to win the match."
After their thrilling singles championship match, DeVilliers and Zerboni had to quickly turn around and play in the A-draw doubles final. Devilliers with teammate Boutillier, reached the championship round of doubles after defeating Schive/Wolmarans of San Diego in the semifinal 8-6.
Both DeVilliers and Boutillier battled hard in the A-draw doubles final, but came up just short, as Chizever/Zerbini of Cal won the doubles championship 8-4.
"Remi and I are still getting used to each other on the court," said DeVilliers. "It will come with practice, but it was a good first tournament for us."
Flavio Mollinedo was in action on the final day of the tournament as well. Mollinedo faced Tim Shulz Van Endert of San Diego State in the B-draw singles final. Mollinedo was unable to pick up the victory, dropping the match 6-1, 6-0 and finishing the weekend with a record of 4-1 in singles.
2008 Bulldog Classic
A-draw singles champion
Rikus DeVilliers (Fresno State)
B-draw singles champion
Tim Shulz Van Endert (San Diego State)
C-draw singles champion
Scott Hohenstein (UCSB)
A-draw doubles champion
Chizever/Zerbini (Cal)
B-draw doubles champion
Chirita/Gilbert (Cal)
A-draw consolation champion
(double withdrawl)
B-draw consolation champion
Zac Tsai (UC Irivine)
C-draw consolation champion
Michael Beron (San Diego State)
"Join the State - Fresno State!"- Rudolf Siwy, Mirko Zapletal and Tejesvi Veerepalli will compete Oct. 6 in the ITA All-American qualifying tournament in Tulsa, Okla. Check gobulldogs.com for updates and results.
Players Mentioned
