PADUCAH, Ky. - Austin Peay State University first-year head tennis coach Malik Tabet always says matches are won at the bottom. That mantra proved true as the Govs relied on a three-set win by sophomore Renan Bezerra at No. 5 singles to advance to the Ohio Valley Conference Men's Tennis Tournament semifinals, Friday.

The 4-3 win was Austin Peay's first OVC Tournament win since 1999, and also their fifth straight win overall.

"I'm very happy in the way this match turned around," Tabet said. "It was a real battle of the back. I knew Renan had a chance even though he wasn't playing his best tennis."

Bezerra led 5-2 in the first set against Morehead State's Dusan Milovanovic, but allowed a furious comeback to eventually drop the set. At that point, the Govs had lost the doubles point, but had two wins in pocket - freshmen Henrique Norbiato and John Storie won at No. 3 and No. 6, respectively - in a tournament format that is a race to four wins.

Freshman Amar Subasic locked up a win at No. 4 singles as Bezerra trailed in the second set at No. 5. With the Govs leading 3-2 against the Eagles, the two remaining matches had Morehead State with their hand on the throttle.

While Bezerra battled Milovanovic, freshman Sean Bailey was in a dogfight at No. 1 singles with Jerry Sundgren. Bailey, who dropped the first set, was leading in the second and looking to force a third.

As the crowd gathered around Bezerra's match, the Brazilian hit a critical point in the second set. Milovanovic had match point, leading 6-5, but Bezerra fought off each shot. Bezerra broke his serve to force a tiebreaker, which he won 7-3, setting the stage for the final set.

Bailey continued to battle against Sundgren, but a momentum swing drew attention to Bezerra at No. 5. His serve and volley approach began to wear on Milovanovic, as Bezerra went ahead quickly, 5-0. Milovanovic won the next two games, but unforced errors continued to come to easy and eventually cost him the match.

"The beginning of the match was tough," Bezerra said. "I got a little nervous when it was 5-0 in the last set. I gave up two games, but I kept my cool and got out with the win. Last year, we struggled, but we've got a solid team this year. This is an awesome win. "

The win against Morehead State was not unexpected, even though the Govs dropped the regular-season meeting between the two teams. That match, much like this one, came down to the No. 6 singles match, which went to the Eagles on that day.

"This was a great win for our team," the lone senior Leonardo Locatelli said after the match. "It's good as a senior to leave with a good memory and also leave knowing the team will be in good hands. I love these guys and the win is just great. I'm glad to get the opportunity to play again. You never know, when you're a senior, that it might always be your last match."

Locatelli, who lost at No. 2 singles, will get another chance when Austin Peay faces No. 1 seed Eastern Kentucky in a 10 a.m., Saturday semifinal match. The Govs lost, 6-1, to Eastern Kentucky, April 2 at Austin Peay. Subasic earned the Govs only win, while Norbiato and Locatelli each lost in tiebreakers.

"I'm happy, especially for Leo," Tabet said. "He lost a tough match, but I told him this is a teamwork thing. I told him you have to wait it out and hope that your teammates give you another shot to play."