SAN DIEGO, California — Utah State men’s tennis won, 4-3, at San Diego State on Sunday at the Aztec Tennis Center. The win moves USU to 2-1 in Mountain West play and 8-10 overall.
The Aztecs made the first move of the match by securing the doubles point with victories at the first and third positions of doubles play. Junior Javier Ruiz and sophomore Jack Ninteman held a 5-4 lead at the No. 2-spot at the time of clinch.
Facing a 1-0 deficit to start of singles play, junior Roko Savin quickly pulled the Aggies even with a 6-0, 6-1 victory at the fifth position. After SDSU briefly reclaimed the lead at the No. 6-spot, senior Felipe Acosta again tied the match, winning 7-5, 6-0 at the fourth position.
Each of the top three positions of singles play came down to third sets to determine the match. An Aztec victory at the top spot put USU on the brink of defeat. Junior David Cierny responded with a victory at the second position, 6-2, 2–6, 6-3, to even the match at 3-3. Freshman Sergi Mico Fenollar then secured the Aggie victory at the No. 3s, outlasting his Aztec competition, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.
It is USU’s first win this season by a score of 4-3. The Aggies were previously 0-7 in such matches prior to Sunday.
Utah State continues conference play next weekend by hosting Boise State at the Sports Academy & Racquet Club in Logan on Saturday, April 16, at 11 a.m. (MT).
Fans can follow USU’s women’s tennis team on Twitter @USUMensTennis, on Facebook at /UtahStateMensTennis or on Instagram at USUMensTennis. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
RESULTS
Utah State 4, San Diego State 3
Aztec Tennis Center
San Diego, California
Doubles
1. Victor Castro/Joe Tyler (SDSU) def. David Cierny/Bodin Zarkovic (USU) 6-4
2. Jack Ninteman/Javier Ruiz (USU) vs. Roni Rikkonen/Johannes Seeman (SDSU) 5-4, unfinished
3. Judson Blair/Alexander Mandma (SDSU) def. Felipe Acosta/Sergi Mico Fenollar (USU) 6-2
Singles
1. Tyler (SDSU) def. Zarkovic (USU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
2. Cierny (USU) def. Seeman (SDSU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
3. Mico Fenollar (USU) def. Castro (SDSU) 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
4. Acosta (USU) def. Mandma (SDSU) 7-5, 6-0
5. Savin (USU) def. Jules Auffray (SDSU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Blair (SDSU) def. Ruiz (USU) 6-3, 6-2
Match Notes
Utah State: 8-10 (2-1 MW)
San Diego State: 4-10 (1-2 MW)
– USU –