L to R: runner-up Marc Abdelnour, umpire Cecil Wise, champion Eric Hechtman

Former UM All-American Tops Field of 124 Players

Former University of Miami All-American Eric Hechtman is the sole survivor of the Delray Beach ITC “Survivor Series I” pre-qualifying tournament. Hechtman outlasted a field of 124 players and scored a three-set win Tuesday over Florida Atlantic University junior Marc Abdelnour 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center.

With the win, the 26-year-old Hechtman moves one step closer to playing in the ITC next February, earning a wild card into the ATP World Tour event’s qualifying tournament. The top four in that 32-player draw advance into the ATP main event.

After being denied a year ago—Hechtman reached the semifinals in this tournament and then was the runner-up in Survivor Series II—it looked like the No. 2 seeded Miami resident would fall short again. Abdelnour won the opening set and held a 3-1 lead in the second. “I felt really negative about it but I was able to come alive,” said Hechtman. “It just felt really good to finally win.”

Hechtman, who also beat Abdelnour in the quarterfinals here last year, graduated from UM in 2006 and teaches tennis at the Royal Palm Tennis Club in Miami.

Also among the final four were Jonathan David of Naples and former Clemson standout Kevin Fleck. Abdelnour beat David 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 and Hechtman flattened Fleck 6-0, 6-0 in Tuesday morning’s semifinal matches. Although unseeded, David was the runnerup here last year and then won the “Survivor Series III” title.

Three members of Florida Atlantic tennis team reached the quarterfinals on Monday, including Abdelnour, senior Daniel Vardaq and freshman Matthew Braunworth. Additionally, juniors Ervin Garibovic and Lawrence Harradine reached the round of 16, giving the Owls five players in the final 16.

Also reaching the quarterfinals here in “Survivor Series I” was up-and-coming 16-year-old senior Andrew Butz of St. Edwards High School in Vero Beach. Butz is the reigning Florida High School Class 1A state champion.

The Delray Beach ITC will be headlined by ATP World Tour stars James Blake, Mardy Fish and Tommy Haas, and will be played February 22-28 at the Tennis Center.

Coming up this weekend (Nov. 21-24) is “Survivor Series II”. “I’m going to come back again and give it another shot,” said Abdelnour, who hails from Syria and is majoring in business at FAU.

To register for “Survivor Series II”, please call 561-330-6000.

 “Survivor Series III,” the final pre- qualifying tournament of the series, will be held January 30 – February 2 on clay at the Delray Beach Swim & Tennis Center.