FRESNO, Calif. - Top-seeded Hector Almada and three other Bulldogs advanced to the round of 16 in the 10th annual Wathen/Hancock Bulldog Classic, being played this weekend at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center.

Almada, who established himself as Fresno State's No. 1 player the second half of last year, began 2002-03 on a strong note by polishing off his first and second round opponents with ease. He opened the tournament by taking out Michael Wojnarowicz of Loyola Marymount 6-3, 6-0. The junior the reached the round of 16 by defeating Sean Dizon of San Francisco 6-1, 6-4.

The Hermosillo, Mexico, native went 14-9 (13-7 dual) in 2001-02 and was the only Bulldog with an above-.500 dual match record. He now plays Pacific's Vincent Kubler tomorrow at 8 a.m.

Three other Fresno State players advanced to the round of 16. Greg Shearer, who played primarily at No. 5 singles last season, opened by upsetting Jason Pongsrikul of San Diego by scores of 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1. He followed that up by grinding down Pacific's Niclas Otte, who retired after falling behing 6-1, 1-0. Shearer will play 12th-seeded Pablo Pires de Almeida of San Francisco tomorrow at 8 a.m.

No. 14-seed Stefan Suta and newcomer Marc Schaerer also advanced. Suta, the defending singles and doubles champion, beat Brett Bitzer of Nevada 6-1, 6-2 in the first round then defeated Tyler Black of Pacific 6-2, 6-1 in the second round. Suta takes on the winner of the Joaquin Lien (San Francisco)/Pierrick Ysern (San Diego) match tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Schaerer started his day by upsetting No. 8-seeded Anthony Evrard of Loyola Marymount 6-1, 6-2. He then took down Cal Poly's Stacy Meronoff 7-6 (4), 6-1 in the second round. The freshman now plays third-seeded Robbie Blair of San Diego tomorrow at 8 a.m.