CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.- Two of Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajun men’s tennis players have advanced to the round of 32 in the Icy Hot/ITA Challenger pre-qualifying draw.

Dusan Tabak and Shaun Ellison both defeated SEC opponents to advance to Saturday’s games.

Ellison defeated Auburn’s Brett Hunter in the first round while Tabak had a bye. In the second round Tabak easily swept passed Tennessee’s David Baxendine.

Robin Ley downed Troy’s Emir Basic but fell short against Ryusuke Kashiwabara of UC-Irvine.

“The guys really did a much better job of competing,” men’s tennis coach Justin McGrath said. “I was very proud of the way we played today. It was a great improvement.”

Ellison will now face Garrett Snyder of Texas and Tabak will face Benedikt Stonk of San Diego State tomorrow at 9 a.m.

“It will be interesting to see how far they (Tabak and Ellison) can go,” McGrath said.

Also on the slate for tomorrow is the beginning of the doubles pre-qualy. The team of Ellison and Harfield begin at 1:00 p.m. and the duo of Ley and Tabak begin at 11:30 a.m.

Pre-qualifying round of 256
Robin Ley d. Emir Basic (Troy) 6-3; 6-2
Shaun Ellison d. Brett Hunter (Auburn) 6-1; 6-2

PQ round of 128
Dusan Tabak d. David Baxendine (Tenn.) 6-0; 6-4
Ellison d. Marko Marevic (Bradley) 6-4; 6-0
Ryusuke Kashiwabara (UC-Irvine) d. Ley 3-6; 6-1; 6-1
Edson Abrao (Ark.-LR) d. Chris Harfield 6-2; 6-0

LOUISIANA SI