Washington’s Neuner advances in Futures qualifier

Former Booker T. Washington High standout and current Florida Atlantic University top tennis player Will Neuner is definitely comfortable in his old surroundings.

After a straight-set win Friday in the first round of the Pro Futures qualifiers, Neuner was impressive in taking out New Zealand’s Riki McLachlan, 6-4, 6-3 yesterday. He advances to the third round to face No. 9 seed Sahr Timothy Kpulun of Sierra Leone at 10 a.m. today.

Neuner will reach the qualifying round of 16 with a victory. The top eight players in qualifiers earn a spot in the main draw of the Pensacola Futures Championship, which starts Tuesday.

“I felt today I played well,” said Neuner, who’s won qualifier matches, but never reached the main draw of the tourney. “Yesterday I didn’t play my best, but still won. Today I was moving well and attacked with my forehand extremely well, and I didn’t let my opponent get on offense too much.”

Following singles, Neuner will pair with fellow FAU teammate Richard Meade in a four-team doubles wildcard event. Others featured in the event will be Pensacola Catholic High’s Chris Ephron, who is teamed with Pensacola Country Club pro Patrick Bateman, and Washington High’s Jacob Baehr with the UWF’s Domenico Sano. Former Wildcat star and current Troy University’s Austin Racine will play with former Argonaut Felipe Frattini.

The doubles matches start around 1 p.m., with the finals to follow. The winning team will advance to the doubles main draw Tuesday evening.

Besides being familiar with Scott’s clay courts, Neuner has another advantage. He and Meade won the USTA Men’s Open National Clay Court Championships last year.

“I definitely feel confident,” Neuner said. “I’ve just got to go out there and get the job done, win and advance.”