The first day of the Western Slope Open technically still hasn’t ended.
Three rain delays of more than three-and-a-half hours pushed consolation matches late into the night.
Most of Durango High School’s tennis team wrapped up, though.
No. 1 singles player Fred Edwards is the only one still alive for a championship.
He beat Ralston Valley 6-0, 6-1 in the first round before facing a tough opponent from Aspen that beat him in last year’s regionals.
“Fred was sort of champing on the bit after all the work this summer,” DHS head coach Dave Weisfeldt said.
Edwards won 6-1, 6-3.
He’ll face Denver East in the semifinals Saturday morning.
Alijah Konikowski rolled his ankle in his first No. 2 singles match of the day and had to retire against Heritage.
The Demons had an alternate, though, and Luke Jernigan was thrust into the No. 2 singles spotlight in the consolation rounds.
He lost 8-0 to Dakota Ridge then 8-1 to Denver East.
“He was stepping into some pretty big shoes going from No. 12 in the lineup,” Weisfeldt said. “We’re thrilled to see him pick up a game and pick up some points.”
Jake Beekman lost 6-4, 1-6, 10-8 to Ralston Valley in the opening No. 3 singles round before beating Littleton 8-0 in the first consolation round.
He then lost to Mountain Vista 8-4 and will play Saturday in the consolation bracket.
“He’s really come a long way in a few weeks,” Weisfeldt said. “I can’t wait to see him at the end of the season.”
At No. 1 doubles, Will Downs and Micah Hwang lost 6-0, 6-0 in the opening round to Ralston Valley.
“Buzzsaw first round,” Weisfeldt said. “They tore us apart at 8 this morning.”
They then lost 8-2 to Mountain View in the consolation bracket.
A default moved Downs and Hwang into the consolation bracket Saturday.
The No. 2 doubles bracket still was being played late Friday.
At No. 3 doubles, Ian Osby and Tommy Rodgers lost 6-1, 6-1 to Mountain Vista then beat Arvada West 8-6 and lost to Steamboat Springs 8-4.
“They started to play as a team with more experience together,” Weisfeldt said. “(Friday’s) match was even better for them. Court movement is way better. Every match counts there. Real scrappy.”
Luke Meyer and Eno Ulshafer lost to Grand Junction 6-1, 6-1 in the first round at No. 4 doubles.
They then dropped 9-7 to Columbine in the consolation bracket.
“That was a terrific match, back and forth,” Weisfeldt said. “Had the lead for a good portion of the match and broke at the wrong time late.”
Their third match of the day was postponed, so they’ll play Aspen early Saturday morning.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
