Select Page

Oklahoma State Waltzes Out of Waco With a Win; Virginia Edges North Carolina, UCLA Upends Stanford

by | Apr 10, 2017 | Blog

Tagged with: , , , , ,

Prior to Sunday, it’d been 16 years since Oklahoma State had last defeated a top 3 team but that’s exactly what they did on Sunday afternoon in Waco. Third-ranked Baylor jumped on Oklahoma State in doubles and picked up a pair of 6-2 wins at No. 1 and No. 2 to take the early 1-0 lead. Oklahoma State got back in the match by taking four opening sets in singles and Lukas Finzelberg would tie the match up with a quick 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 6. Baylor answered with straight set wins from Max Tchoutakian and Johannes Schretter at No. 2 and No. 3 to go in front 3-1. Oklahoma State’s Artur Dubinski followed with a straight set win at No. 4 and then Julian Cash won in three sets at No. 1 to even the match at 3-3. 

As Cash was closing out his match, Oklahoma State’s Tristan Meraut and Baylor Jimmy Bendeck were headed to a second set tiebreak at No. 5 with Meraut having taken the first set. Meraut led the tiebreak 4-2 at the changeover and he would pull away and close it out 7-3 with Bendeck double faulting on the match point. 

#8 Oklahoma State 4, #3 Baylor 3
Apr 09, 2017 at Waco, Texas (Hurd Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. #27 Julian Cash (OSU) def. #10 Juan Benitez (BU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
2. #41 Max Tchoutakian (BU) def. #80 Arjun Kadhe (OSU) 6-2, 7-5
3. #74 Johannes Schretter (BU) def. #84 Lucas Gerch (OSU) 6-2, 6-4
4. Artur Dubinski (OSU) def. Will Little (BU) 6-4, 6-3
5. Tristan Meraut (OSU) def. #120 Jimmy Bendeck (BU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
6. #75 Lukas Finzelberg (OSU) def. Constantin Frantzen (BU) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. #29 Juan Benitez/Will Little (BU) def. #5 Julian Cash/Arjun Kadhe (OSU) 6-2
2. Johannes Schretter/Jimmy Bendeck (BU) def. #75 Lucas Gerch/Jurence Mendoza (OSU) 6-2
3. Max Tchoutakian/Constantin Frantzen (BU) vs. Tristan Meraut/Lukas Finzelberg (OSU) 4-3, unf.
Match Notes
Oklahoma State 20-4; National ranking #8
Baylor 20-4; National ranking #3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (6,3,2,4,1,5)

Post-Match Quotes from Oklahoma State’s recap
“It’s special anytime that you’re able to get a win in the Big 12,” head coach Jay Udwadia said. “This conference is filled with the best teams in the country and all of them compete just as hard as we do. Today is probably a little bit sweeter though, because we were able get a win away from home after losing the doubles point.

“We kind of laid an egg in doubles, but we switched our mindset as soon as singles started and the guys did an incredible job of playing and ultimately winning a hard-fought match.”

“Clinching is always a nice feeling, but being the first or last one is the same for me,” Meraut said. “I’m happy that today I could help the team get a win. We still have a lot of the season left to be played and I’m sure the best is coming for the Cowboys.

“This win feels amazing,” Meraut said. “I’m so proud of my teammates. We started slow in doubles and Baylor came ready to play. When we got back on the court for singles though, we knew that we’re a team that can beat anyone in the country, even without winning the doubles point.”

“This group is great at supporting each other,” Udwadia said of the Cowboys’ road success. “We’re a close team and we have great leadership, so I think that has helped us to be able to block out the crowds or any other distractions.”

Post-Match Quote from Baylor’s recap
“You have to give them credit. They have a good team. I’m really pleased of how we played in doubles because they’re really good in doubles. I think we did a good job there, it’s a good sign of improvement so I’m really pleased with that and it’s a good step for us in the right direction to be competitive in doubles. We just have to execute better. We kind of got out-concentrated, but that’s what is great about playing a tough schedule, you learn.” — head coach Matt Knoll on the loss

 

{loadposition ads}

 

Fourth-ranked Virginia overcame the loss of the doubles point to defeat No. 11 North Carolina 4-3. UNC picked up 6-4 wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles and then each team took three opening sets in singles. Ronnie Schneider extended the lead to 2-0 with a straight set win at No. 1 but Virginia’s Collin Altamirano, Carl Soderlund, and JC Aragone each won in straight sets at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 6 to make it 3-2 Virginia. UNC freshman William Blumberg tied it up at 3-3 with a three-set win over Alexander Ritschard at No. 2 so it all came down to a third set at No. 6 between Virginia junior Henrik Wiersholm and UNC senior Jack Murray. Wiersholm broke to go up 2-1 in the third and he’d make the lead hold up and take it 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. 

 

 

#4 Virginia 4, #11 North Carolina 3
Apr 09, 2017 at Charlottesville, Va. (Snyder Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. #23 Ronnie Schneider (NC) def. #12 Thai-Son Kwiatkowski (VA) 6-4, 6-0
2. #34 William Blumberg (NC) def. Alexander Ritschard (VA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
3. #63 Collin Altamirano (VA) def. #93 Robert Kelly (NC) 6-2, 6-4
4. Carl Soderlund (VA) def. Simon Soendergaard (NC) 6-3, 6-3
5. #79 Henrik Wiersholm (VA) def. Jack Murray (NC) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
6. J.C. Aragone (VA) def. Blaine Boyden (NC) 6-2, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. #8 William Blumberg/Robert Kelly (NC) def. #54 Luca Corinteli/Henrik Wiersholm (VA) 6-4
2. Jack Murray/Simon Soendergaard (NC) def. Thai-Son Kwiatkowski/Alexander Ritschard (VA) 6-4
3. Collin Altamirano/J.C. Aragone (VA) vs. Anu Kodali/Ronnie Schneider (NC) 6-5, unfinished
Match Notes
North Carolina 19-3, 6-2 ACC; National ranking #11
Virginia 20-1, 7-1 ACC; National ranking #4
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (1,3,4,6,2,5)
T-3:02 A-878

Post-Match Quotes from UVA’s recap
“I am really proud of the guys,” said Virginia head coach Brian Boland. “They love this program and they love playing for one another. I am really proud of Henrik. He really played smart. He was able to disrupt pace in his opponent who was really a player who played off the hip and really liked pace. I thought that Henrik did a good job in terms of the choices in his service game by mixing up his serves and was looking for his forehand a little bit more with the wind at his back. He made great decisions and got himself through a really, really tough match. UNC is a great team. Congratulations to them. They are going to be a team that will be a big challenge down the road in the NCAA Tournament. We just need to keep getting better, stay focused and enjoy every minute of this incredible journey.”

 

 

UCLA didn’t get a chance to play on Friday since its match against Cal was rained out but the Bruins made up for lost time on Sunday and defeated Stanford 4-2. Stanford won the doubles point for the sixth straight time against UCLA however just like the previous matches they’d be unable to finish it off. UCLA picked up straight set wins from Martin Redlicki, Logan Staggs, Austin Rapp, and Evan Zhu clinched it with a 6-4, 7-6 win at No. 3.

#10 UCLA 4, #19 Stanford 2
Apr 9, 2017 at Stanford, CA (Taube Family Tennis Stadium)
Doubles competition
1. Fawcett/Goldberg (STAN) vs. #7 Redlicki/Zhu (UCLA) 4-4, unfinished
2. #69 Genender/Kumar def. Brymer/A. Rapp (UCLA) 6-4
3. Sutter/Wilczynski (STAN) def. Cressy/Goldberg (UCLA) 6-4
Singles competition
1. #17 Tom Fawcett (STAN) def. #11 Gage Brymer (UCLA) 6-2, 6-1
2. #42 Martin Redlicki (UCLA) def. Sameer Kumar (STAN) 7-6 (5), 6-4
3. Evan Zhu (UCLA) def. David Wilczynski (STAN) 6-4, 7-6 (5)
4. Logan Staggs (UCLA) def. #110 Michael Genender (STAN) 6-3, 7-5
5. Austin Rapp (UCLA) def. Brandon Sutter (STAN) 6-4, 7-6 (6)
6. William Genesen (STAN) vs. Maxime Cressy (UCLA) 4-6, 6-0, 3-2, unfinished
Match Notes:
UCLA 14-4, 3-0; National ranking #10
Stanford 13-5, 3-1; National rankings #19
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (1,5,2,4,3)

Post-Match Quotes from Stanford’s recap

“We played the best doubles that we have all year,” stated the Taube Family Director of Men’s Tennis Paul Goldstein, “unfortunately we’ve played solid doubles the last six times we’ve faced UCLA and haven’t been able to emerge with a win.”

“Tom was fantastic today against an amazing opponent,” continued Goldstein, “I was also proud of how William Genesen fought back at six. David Wilczynski has been a rock for us and rallied back from being down against a tough Evan Zhu. We’re a young team, and that showed today, though we’re looking to finish at least top-16 in the regular season and have the chance to refocus and elevate our game this week against some tough opponents in the Northwest.”

 

 

Georgia clinched at least a share of the SEC regular season title with a 4-3 win over No. 20 South Carolina. Georgia won a close doubles point despite South Carolina’s Yancy Dennis and Harrison O’Keefe upsetting the ITA No. 3 ranked team of Jan Zielinski and Robert Loeb. Georgia picked up a quick from Robert Loeb at No. 6 with South Carolina countering with a quick win from Gabriel Friedrich at No. 2. Walker Duncan put Georgia ahead 3-1 with a 6-1, 6-4 win at No. 6 and freshman Nathan Ponwith clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 1. South Carolina won both the remaining matches in third sets to make the final 4-3.

Georgia is now 11-0 in the SEC and they’ll have a chance to win the regular season title outright on Saturday when they face 10-1 Texas A&M. The winner of that match will get the top seed in the conference tournament with the loser getting the second seed. 

Georgia has some highlights in its recap

#13 Georgia 4, #20 South Carolina 3
April 9, 2017 at Athens, Ga. (Dan Magill Tennis Complex)
Singles Results
1. #64 Nathan Ponwith (UGA) def. #69 Harrison O’Keefe (SC) 6-3, 6-4
2. #47 Gabriel Friedrich (SC) def. #25 Wayne Montgomery (UGA) 6-2, 6-1
3. Andrew Schafer (SC) def. #68 Emil Reinberg (UGA) 6-2, 1-6, 6-3
4. Yancy Dennis (SC) def. Jan Zielinski (UGA) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
5. Walker Duncan (UGA) def. Alex Fennell (SC) 6-1, 6-4
6. Robert Loeb (UGA) def. Paul Jubb (SC) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles Results
1. #31 Yancy Dennis/Harrison O’Keefe (SC) def. #3 Jan Zielinski/Robert Loeb (UGA) 6-3
2. #53 Nathan Ponwith/Emil Reinberg (UGA) def. Sam Swank/Alex Fennell (SC) 6-2
3. Wayne Montgomery/Walker Duncan (UGA) def. Gabriel Friedrich/Andrew Schafer (SC) 7-5
Match Notes:
South Carolina 18-5, 7-3 SEC; National ranking #20
Georgia 15-6, 11-0 SEC; National ranking #13
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (6,2,5,1,3,4)
Official: Clark Weaver;
Attendance 1248

Post-Match Quotes from Georgia’s recap
“All the credit goes to the players and what they’re willing to buy into and what they’re willing to work for,” head coach Manuel Diaz said. “It’s great to see our freshmen fitting into the culture of the program. Our veteran players know what needs to be done, and they’ve come a long way. We have a big match against Texas A&M on Saturday, and we have to get plenty of rest and get ready to play.”

 

Other Sunday Results:

  • #2 Ohio State def. Purdue 6-1 – Buckeyes won in straight sets at 1 through 5 with Purdue getting a straight set win at 6
  • #7 Texas A&M won at #50 Auburn 4-0 – Aggies took a close doubles point and then won every completed set in singles with Hady Habib clinching at No. 5
  • #14 Florida won at Tennessee 6-1 – Gators won the doubles point by winning a tiebreak at No. 2 and then Johannes Ingildsen made it 4-0 with a straight set win at No. 4
  • #15 Michigan def. #29 Wisconsin 4-0 – UM picked up straight sets win at 2, 4, and 5 with the other three matches in a third set – highlights
  • #16 Oklahoma won at #42 Texas Tech 4-2 – OU came back from 2-0 down to win after Florin Bragusi won 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 at No. 3
  • #17 Georgia Tech def. #40 Louisville 4-3 – GT’s Carlos Divar made it 4-0 with a straight set win at No. 4 – Louisville won the last three matches with two in a third set supertiebreak
  • #18 Mississippi State def. LSU 5-2 – MSU’s Simon Baudry made it 4-1 with a straight set win at No. 6
  • #21 Northwestern def. Iowa 4-3 – NU was all full strength for the first time since the NTIs and barely squeezed out a win after Jason Seidman won the decider 7-6, 7-6 at No. 6
  • #22 Columbia won at Princeton 4-0 – Lions took dubs and won fairly quickly at 1, 2, and 6 singles 
  • Alabama won at #23 Kentucky 4-3 – Tide took the doubles point by winning the decider in a tiebreak and then Zhe Zhou won the match decider 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 at No. 5
  • #24 Cornell won at Penn 4-2 – CU’s Pietro Rimondini clinched at No. 4 winning 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 – four of six singles matches went three sets
  • #25 Oregon won at Arizona 4-1 – UO’s Jayson Amos became the school’s all-time singles wins leader (91) after winning in straight sets at No. 4.  
  • #26 South Florida won at #36 SMU 4-2 – USF dropped the doubles point but rallied in singles with Alberto Barroso-Campos clinching 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2
  • #27 Illinois def. Nebraska 4-0 – Illini won the double decider in a tiebreak then won 8 of 9 sets in singles
  • #28 Tulane def. #37 Rice 4-1 – Green Wave dropped the doubles point but picked up four straight set wins with Sebastian Rey clinching at No. 2
  • #32 Minnesota won at Michigan State 6-1 – Sparty won at No. 1 but Minnesota won everywhere else with four of the matches going three sets. 
  • Utah def. #35 Washington 4-2 – Utes dropped the doubles point but picked up four wins in singles with Slava Shainyan clinching 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 at No. 4
  • New Mexico won at #39 Utah State 4-3 – Lobos took the doubles point and Dominic West won the decider 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 at No. 3
  • #43 Duke won at Clemson 5-2 – DU’s Catalin Mateas clinched at No. 3 with a 6-3, 7-5 win.
  • Penn State def. #45 Indiana 5-2 – PSU took the doubles point and swept the top four spots in singles – IU had Raheel Manji back in the lineup at No. 1 after missing almost two months with an injury
  • Temple won at Penn State 4-3 – Temple came back from 3-0 down to pick up straight sets wins at 1, 2, 3, and 5 with Francisco Bohorquez clinching at 5 –  PSU sat four singles starters (1,2,4,6) that played earlier in the day against Indiana and the Owls made them pay. 
  • Miami FL def. Notre Dame 4-3 – UM’s Piotr Lomacki won the decider 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 over Josh Hagar at No. 1
  • Virginia Tech won at VCU 4-3 – VT’s Mitch Harper won the deciding match 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 at No. 2 – only match that went three sets
  • Wichita State def. Denver 5-2 – Shockers won 3 of the 4 matches that went three sets
  • New Mexico State def. UTRGV 7-0 – Aggies wrapped up their third straight regular season WAC Title.

 

If you are a College Tennis Today subscriber and you want to get a sneak peak at Tuesday’s rankings just login and click on the rankings tab. If you haven’t subscribed yet there’s no better time than now to try it out.