Men's Tennis | 10/3/2025 10:13:52 AM

CARY, N.C., Oct. 2, 2025 – Day One of the 2nd Annual MEAC Men’s Tennis Invitational featured a full slate of singles and doubles action, as several South Carolina State players advanced to the semifinal rounds.

In singles play, Illiyas Maratuly of South Carolina State turned in a strong performance, defeating Morgan State’s Roman Filma (6-4, 6-2) in the opening round before earning a 6-4, 6-2 quarterfinal win over Howard’s Michael Major Jr.. Teammate Mikalai Bankou, who received a first-round bye, also advanced after defeating Morgan State’s Rhajzon Rankins, who had earlier earned a hard-fought 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win over Norfolk State’s Boris Lunin.

North Carolina Central’s Rodrigo Alves advanced to the semifinals following a 6-3, 6-4 victory over South Carolina State’s Gabriel Johnson, who reached the second round after a narrow opening win over Howard’s Kaosie Nwokedi (6-3, 3-6, 7-5). South Carolina State’s Bastian Zamora also advanced with a convincing 6-2, 6-1 victory over Norfolk State’s Dominik Simunovic, before ousting NCCU’s Kareem Hakim in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.

The men’s singles semifinals are set to begin Friday, Oct. 3, at 9:00 a.m. at Cary Tennis Park.

In doubles play, several teams earned opening-round byes, while others battled through competitive matches. South Carolina State’s Anh Hoang La Pham and Illiyas Maratuly outlasted Morgan State’s Ben Abdelwahid and Kerouat, 4-6, 6-4, 1-0, while Howard’s Kaosie Nwokedi and Marcus Weekes rolled to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Morgan State’s Poole and Santos.

Howard’s Ethan Boswell and Michael Major Jr. also advanced after South Carolina State’s Gabriel Johnson and Vanja Petrov retired in the opening set.

South Carolina State’s Zamora and Bankou, along with NCCU’s Bharathy and Pankowski, Kohl and Alves, and Norfolk State’s Lunin and Simunovic, all received first-round byes. NCCU’s Leo Fortier-Gariepy and Kareem Hakim also move into quarterfinal play on Friday.

Doubles competition will continue today, Friday, Oct. 3, beginning at 1:00 p.m., with semifinal matches to follow the conclusion of the quarterfinal round.

MEAC Men’s Results

2025 Men’s Singles Draw – Day 1
2025 Men’s Doubles Draw – Day 2

Click here to watch live competition available on PlaySight.com.  

Can’t find it the matches, type Cary Tennis Park in the search bar. Click courts 1-6