LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State men's tennis team had a successful first day on the courts, advancing at least one player to the quarterfinals in each singles flight on Friday at the NM State Tennis Center to open the 2017 Aggie Invitational.
 
The first day of the fall tennis season opened up with doubles action for NM State. Enrique Asmar teamed up with freshman Yusuke Nishitani and took down Western New Mexico's Liam Frabulet and Zachary Grabovic 8-5. Meanwhile, Christofer Goncalves and Luis Flores paired together once again this season, claiming an 8-6 victory over Arizona Christian's Enzo Douillac and Jesse Miritello. Sergi Espias and Alejandro Rosas fell to WNMU's top pair 8-4 as Stijn de Haan and Mauri Benitez stood watch with a bye in the opening round.
 
In the Crimson singles flight, Christofer Goncalves made quick work of both of his opponents and will face his doubles partner, Flores, Saturday. The two are scheduled to square off at 12:30 p.m. (MT) on Saturday. An all Aggie quarterfinal was almost in place until Arizona's Carlos Hassey played spoiler, denying de Haan the opportunity to battle Sergi Espias – who fell in a tooth-and-nail battle with Hassey 7-6, 7-6.
 
In the top of the White singles flight, Benitez has himself a date with Michael Tran of New Mexico on Saturday after cruising to the quarterfinals with a pair of victories on Friday. NM State was once again denied an all Aggie quarterfinal, this time at the hands of Abilene Christian's Cole Lawson – who narrowly escaped past Nishitani in the round of 16, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3. Benitez and Asmar both look to advance to the semifinals on Saturday with a tentative 12:30 p.m. start time as well.
 
After getting a bye in the first round, NM State's Alejandro Rosas Garcia easily defeated Theo Preiswerk of Arizona Christian and will battle Marcelo Balderrama for a spot in the semis of the Black singles flight. Luis Garza fell in both of his matches on Friday.
 
With the round of 16 loss, Espias moves to the Crimson singles flight "North & South" bracket and will face WNMU's Liam Frabulet. Like Espias, Nishitani moves on to the White singles flight "North & South" bracket and slated to take on the Firebirds' Daniel Superlano.
 
Doubles play will once again kick things off Saturday morning at the NM State Tennis Center, followed by singles action. The Aggie Invitational is free to all spectators as is all NM State Tennis matches throughout the year.