WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The fourth-seeded Green Bay men's tennis team punched its ticket to the 2018 Horizon League Tournament semifinals with a 4-2 win over fifth-seeded UIC on Friday afternoon at the Schwartz Tennis Center on the campus of Purdue University. The Phoenix, now winners of six-straight matches, moves on to face top-seeded Detroit Mercy tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT. Should the match be moved indoors due to weather, the match time may change. 
 
GB was slow out of the gate in doubles play, as UIC quickly went up 1-0 in the match with victories at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. Singles competition, just like it was against the Flames last week, was a different story.
 
"Our men played patient today to get the win in our first outdoor match of the year, considering the pressure that comes with playing in the tournament. We had to rise to the occasion and we did jus that," said head coach Tim Dean. "We started sluggish and let the doubles get away, but the guys really regrouped and found energy to help get the wins in singles play. Great team victory and congrats to UIC on their season."
 
Ivan Radomirovic fell 6-1, 6-1, at No. 5 singles to give UIC the 2-0 lead, but that's all the Phoenix would surrender the rest of the way. Charlie Croxford won at No. 3 singles 6-4, 6-3, to get Green Bay going and on the board at 2-1. Miles McDowall soon followed with a win of his own at No. 4 singles, 6-3, 6-3. 

With the match tied 2-2, Tony Leto continued to play great tennis and get the 6-4, 6-4, win at No. 6 singles. All-League performer James Ling then clinched the win for the Phoenix, winning the third set in a convincing 6-2 fashion. Florian Kraenzler was up 2-1 and serving in the third set of his singles, but the match was then called with GB already securing the win. 

The Phoenix will now look to take down the tournament's No. 1 seed on Saturday afternoon, hoping to advance back to the tournament title game like it did in 2016.

Match Results:
 
Singles competition
1. Florian Kraenzler (GB) vs. WASILEWICZ, Niko (UIC) 4-6, 6-4, 2-1, unfinished
2. James Ling (GB) def. HEDSTROM, Johan (UIC) 6-1, 3-6, 6-2
3. Charlie Croxford (GB) def. NANNI, Marco (UIC) 6-4, 6-3
4. Miles McDowall (GB) def. DIB, Marcelo (UIC) 6-3, 6-3
5. PANCHAPAKESAN, K (UIC) def. Ivan Radomirovic (GB) 6-1, 6-1
6. Tony Leto (GB) def. LADA, Piotr (UIC) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. WASILEWICZ, Niko/DIB, Marcelo (UIC) def. Kraenzler/James (GB) 6-1
2. HEDSTROM, Johan/WALE, William (UIC) def. Triebe/Leto (GB) 6-3
3. McDowall/Croxford (GB) vs. NANNI, Marco/PANCHAPAKESAN, K (UIC) 2-2, unfinished

Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (5,3,4,6,2)

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