Jan. 19, 2002

HOUSTON, Texas - Baylor men's tennis players Zoltan Papp and Nathan McGregor each advanced Friday in the first day of play at the Rice Invitational being played in Houston at the Met Business and Sports Club.

Junior Zoltan Papp upset sixth-ranked Jean Simon of Texas, the No. 1 seed, in the round of 32 with a score of 6-4, 6-4. He advanced to the round of 16 and defeated No. 34 William Barker of Rice, 7-6 (4), 6-1. Papp will face Portland's Peter Malacek Saturday morning in the quarterfinals.

Sophomore Nathan McGregor also won his first match defeating Nebraska's Lance Mills with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. In the round of 16, however, TCU's Fabrizio Sestini topped McGregor 7-6, 6-4, knocking him out of the tournament.

In doubles play, the No. 58 team of McGregor/Papp squeezed past Toni Gordon and Alex Menichini of TCU with a score of 9-8 in the round of 16. The Baylor duo will match up against Roger Gubsen and Jean Simon of Texas in the quarterfinals Saturday afternoon.

Complete results of the tournament will be available online at www.tennisinformation.com.