Sept. 18, 2002

WACO, Texas - Baylor sophomore Benjamin Becker, ranked No. 5 nationally, defeated Chile's Philip Harboe 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, Tuesday during the first round of the Waco International Challenger.

After two tough sets, Becker claimed his first win in a pro challenger tournament when Harboe hit long past the baseline.

"We were both tired in the second set and I tried to reserve my energy by going to the net more," Becker said. "I tried to hit more winners and make the game a little shorter."

Becker and teammate Matias Marin, a junior, dropped their doubles match Monday to the American team of Huntley Montgomery and Ryan Sachire by a score of 6-3, 6-3.

German native and Baylor freshman Benedikt Dorsch fell in his first round singles match Monday to Sweden's Bjorn Rehnquist, ranked 195th in the world, by a score of 6-4, 7-5.

Also in doubles play, Dorsch and redshirt freshman Barry McLaren lost their doubles qualifying match Tuesday night against Hermes Gamonal and Harboe, 6-4, 6-4.

Becker is the only Bear to advance to the round of 16. He will face American Michael Russell, ranked 125th in the world, Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Waco Regional Tennis Center.