Ivanov wins singles consolation

PENSACOLA — Anton Ivanov became just the second player in University of West Alabama men’s tennis history to win an USTA/ITA South Region title by defeating Gulio Gomba of Lynn University Monday at the Ralph ‘Skeeter’ Carson Tennis Complex. Ivanov’s teammate Nestor Vargas turned the trick in 2011.

Ivanov, the No. 8 seed, downed Gomba 6-3, 6-4 to improve his fall record to 5-1. West Alabama’s Simon Bardell also defeated Gomba 6-3, 6-0 in the first round of the event on Friday.

“Lynn University is the fourth-ranked team in the nation, so anytime we can earn a win over anyone in that program it is strong,” UWA head coach Glen Fanelli said. “Simon (Bardell) was our No. 6 singles player last year, so those were huge wins for both he and Anton.”

Tiger fans can hear Fanelli’s recap of the 2013 USTA-ITA Division II South Region Championship Tuesday evening on the UWA Coaches Show. Tiger tennis player Adam Drysdale is also expected to be a guest on the show.

The radio show airs live from 6-7 p.m. every Tuesday from Austin’s Steakhouse in Livingston. It can be heard locally on ESPN 104.9 and is also streamed at www.espn1049.com.