Nov. 5, 2010

Senior Matteo Fago continued his impressive fall season Friday, picking up two victories to reach the semifinals in the top flight of the Crimson Tide Fall Championships in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Fago started the day by winning his fourth three-set match of the season, beating Louisville's Robert Hall 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Fago then earned a quick 6-1, 6-3 win over Adam Baker of Vanderbilt in the quarterfinals to remain in the hunt for his first career singles title.

Fago improved his record to 8-2 to begin his senior year. With 80 career victories, he is one win away from tying associate head coach Chris Woodruff (1992-93) and Fabio Silberberg (1989-91) for 15th on the Vols all-time wins list.

He faces Indiana's Josh McTaggart in the semifinals Saturday.

Junior Bryan Swartz and freshman Colton Norton both won their opening matches but fell in the quarterfinals in the second and fifth flights respectively.

Crimson Tide Fall Championships
Friday's Results
Singles
Flight 1
Round of 16
Matteo Fago, UT, def. Robert Hall, Louisville, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
Quarterfinals
Matteo Fago, UT, def. Adam Baker, Vanderbilt, 6-1, 6-3

Flight 2
Round of 16
Bryan Swartz, UT, def. Chris Smith, Chattanooga, 6-0, 6-3
Quarterfinals
Sammy Ghorbel, Troy, def. Bryan Swartz, UT, 6-4, 6-4

Flight 5
Round of 16
Colton Norton, UT, def. Jordan Faith, Chattanooga, 7-5, 6-1
Quarterfinals
Alex Doleac, Southern Mississippi, def. Colton Norton, UT, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4