BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University men's tennis team took full advantage of home court as they came out swinging Friday morning in the opening day of action in the 2025 Ron Wesbrooks Invitational. The Cardinals four singles wins, including three in the top two flights, have placed themselves in a strong position for Saturday's matches.
 
Junior Leon Nickel provided the biggest spark when he battled Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Etienne Marty to a three-set match that shaped up more as a marathon than a tennis match. After Nickel took the opening set, 6-2, Marty bounced back with a 6-3 decision in the second. The super tiebreak went 26 points before a winner could be declared but in the end Nickel prevailed with 14-12 decision.
 
All of Lamar's singles wins Friday came against rival A&M-Corpus Christi. Newcomer Maxwell Lindstedt defeated the Islanders, Omar Suarez, 6-2, 0-1, ret., while Fabian Anthin took care of Nico Niox in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5. Lukas Hamacher also defeated Filip Vacula, 6-3, 3-6, 10-8.
 
Big Red's win total could have been even bigger but senior Guy Dagan was forced out of his match early in the second set for precautionary reasons.
 
Unfortunately, it was not the same story for LU in doubles competition. The team of Nickel and freshman Rintaro Shukuda carry the Cardinals last remaining hopes for a flight title in doubles. The Cards' duo ousted the team of Yazid Lahjomri and Saul Bardullas, 6-4. Lamar's tandem returns to action Saturday to face Abilene Christian's T. Quesada Perez and L. Jose Nakamine.
 
The second day of action will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. with doubles play. Singles is set to begin approximately 90 minutes later. All matches are being held at the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Courts.