Men's Tennis | September 25

CLEVELAND, Oh. - The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team competed in the Horizon League Individual Championships on this weekend, hosted by Cleveland State. For the second season in a row, the Huskies will be sending a representative to the ITA Conference Masters. Constantin Radu won the singles main draw, defeating Belmont's Jesus Mario Salgado 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-1. 

"This victory belongs to NIU Athletics as a whole, not just men's tennis," said head coach René Vidal. "We see our move into the Horizon League as an opportunity to build on our strong tennis tradition and write a new chapter, one focused on building a regional dynasty that makes national waves."

Radu entered the tournament as the top seed and recorded three three-set victories to walk away as champion. 

"Costi is a different kind of competitor. Not only does he embrace high stakes moments, Costi knows to raise his level when it matters most," Vidal said. "And his ability to win three-set matches speaks to his physical and emotional resilience."

The Huskies also reached the semifinals of the doubles main draw, but fell 8-4 to Cleveland State. 

Day One
In singles, Radu recorded a pair of wins to reach the third round. Radu began with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Oral Roberts' Martin Rivadeneira and outlasted Cleveland State's Nico Jamison in the Round of 16. The sophomore needed three sets to advance, winning 7-6 (10), 2-6, 7-6 (7-2). 

Two other Huskies reached the Round of 16 in Lorenzo Leti Messina and Curzio Manucci. Leti Messina defeated Scott Houben of Oral Roberts 6-1, 6-1 and Manucci cleared Oscar Gippet of Youngstown State 7-6, 5-7, 6-4. 

NIU had three teams reach the second round of the doubles main draw. Leti Messina / Ibragim Turgambekov defeated Dovas Dersonas / Rafael Le Fur of Youngstown State while Saul Berdullas / Manucci downed Kalani Hibbert / Edoardo Trovo of Southern Indiana, both by score of 8-3. Radu / Chiao Bo Suo Nan went down to the wire of Belmont's Charlie Robin / Jesus Mario Salgado, holding on for a 9-8 (7-4) victory. 

Day Two
Radu moved on to the finals of the singles main draw, beginning with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Belmont's Morgan Woodson. Against Cleveland State's Nicolas Wild in the semifinals, Radu took a three-set victory, winning 6-3, 1-6, 6-0. 

In the double main draw, Berdullas / Manucci defeated Oral Roberts' Romain Azais / Scott Houben 8-6 to reach the semifinals. 

Three Huskies advanced in the singles back draw in Berdullas, Suo Nan and Turgambekov.