Oklahoma State University Athletics
Biktyakov Continues Tournament Run at Austin Hill Country Classic
October 10, 2012 | Cowboy Tennis
Oct. 10, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas - Oklahoma State's Rifat Biktyakov recorded a major victory Wednesday in the Austin Hill Country Classic's Main Draw.
Biktyakov, coming off two-straight wins in the tournament's qualifying round, matched up with the United States' Chase Buchanan in the first round.
Coming into the match, Buchanan was ranked 471st in the Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour and was the tournament's seventh overall seed. While playing for Ohio State, Buchanan finished 10th overall in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's May 2012 rankings.
Biktyakov got off to a slow start as Buchanan raced out to an early 5-3 advantage. However, Biktyakov came roaring back to send the set to a tiebreak. After taking the first few points, Biktyakov held off Buchanan to win the first set 7-6(4).
Buchanan and Biktyakov stayed even throughout the second set, but Biktyakov was able to hold on and win the match 7-6(4), 7-5.
Oklahoma State Assistant Coach Yevgen Bondarchuk said he was impressed with Biktyakov's victory.
"Rifat played very well," Bondarchuk said. "You could tell he was very pleased with his game."
Biktyakov will move on to face Switzerland's Vullnet Tashi in the second round Thursday.
In doubles action, Biktyakov partnered up Tuesday with former Oklahoma State tennis standout Vlad Bondarenko. The duo fell to Barbados' Darian King and the United States' Adam El Mihdawy, 6-3, 6-4, ending the pair's doubles run.
