O'FALLON, Ill. – Western Illinois men's tennis dropped their season-opening match on the road versus Saint Louis. The Fighting Leathernecks dropped a 6-1 decision to the Billikens at the St. Clair Tennis Club.

Mitch Granger picked up the victory for Western in the number two singles, defeating Joe Flanagan 6-2, 5-6, 6-0.

Number one singles player Christoph Haertel lost a close first set 6-5 to Patrick Kella before losing the second set 6-1. Max Cederkall lost 6-2, 6-2 in the third singles while Brandon Meeker lost 6-1, 6-2 at number four.

Chris Bunch dropped a 6-0, 6-3 decision in the number five singles. Brett Furmanski lost 6-2, 6-5 in the sixth spot. Haertel and Granger lost 6-3 in the first doubles while Meeker and Cederkall lost 6-0 in the number two doubles. The third doubles match was unfinished.

Western returns to action on Saturday when it travels to Iowa.

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