TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler tennis teams opened the Tyler Invite with singles action Thursday, with seven Patriots advancing to the East Semifinals and continuing their run through the tournament Friday.

The men's team had a strong opening day, advancing four players to the East Semifinals. In Flight 1, Samuel Antwi earned a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory over Mississippi College to move on to Friday's East Semifinal. Malo Poulesquen fell to Mississippi College 6-3, 6-4 and will continue in the West Semifinal.

Trevor Short and Arthur Schmitkel both picked up victories in Flight 3. Short defeated Ouachita Baptist 6-3, 7-5, while Schmitkel posted a 7-5, 6-2 win over Mississippi College, with both Patriots advancing to the East Semifinals.

Manuel Lassacher also secured a spot in the East Semifinals with a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Ouachita Baptist in Flight 4. In the same flight, Job Japelj battled Tyler Junior College in a three-set match, falling 6-4, 6-7, 10-2, and will compete in the West Semifinal Friday.

Alejandro Pardo Moro and Martin Despodov each battled in Flight 2. Pardo Moro fell to Mississippi College 7-5, 7-6 (3) and will continue in the West Semifinal, while Despodov dropped a 7-5, 2-6, 10-5 decision to Lubbock Christian and will also compete in the West Semifinal.

On the women's side, the Patriots battled through six singles matches Thursday at the UT Tyler campus, with three players advancing to Friday's East Semifinals.

Yona Bancarel opened Flight 1 with a three-set victory over Mississippi College, earning a 6-2 win in the first set before dropping the second 6-0. Bancarel responded in the deciding tiebreaker, earning a 10-8 victory to advance to the East Semifinal. Maria Antonio Ortega also faced Mississippi College, falling 6-3, 6-2.

In Flight 2, Paula Castellanos dropped a 6-4, 6-4 decision to Ouachita Baptist, while Thea Garnier battled Mississippi College in a three-set match, winning the second set 6-1 before falling 6-3, 1-6, 10-7. Both will continue in the West Semifinal Friday.

Hailey Zhang delivered a straight-set victory in Flight 3, defeating Lubbock Christian 6-4, 6-1 to advance to the East Semifinal. Luisa Moraes also battled through a three-set match against Ouachita Baptist, earning a 5-7, 6-2, 10-5 victory to join Zhang in the East Semifinal.

The Tyler Invite continues Friday with semifinal action. The Patriots competing in the East Semifinals will look to advance toward the championship, while those in the West Semifinals will continue competing for placement.