TAMPA- Returning home after being on the road for four consecutive matches, the No. 37 University of South Florida men's tennis team returned home to USF Varsity Tennis Courts in grand fashion by sweeping Georgia State, 7-0, Sunday afternoon.
Under overcast skies, it was decided that due to the impending weather the dual would be begin with singles competition. The Bulls would come out on fire in the singles slate as freshman Wael Kilani put the hosts on the board first, playing in the No. 2 position. The Tunis, Tunisia native pushed his dual record to 5-1 on the season by overpowering GSU's Martin Shishov , 6-2, 6-0.
Then it would be sophomore Jamal Adderley, in the No. 5 slot, to get into the act next by taking care of Jackson Moore, 6-3, 6-1 followed by junior Thomas Estrada who closed out Lucas Thomaz, 6-3, 6-3 to give the Bulls a commanding 3-0 lead.
Needing one win to clinch the dual with three matches still ongoing, it would be the Bulls fiery leader Lucas Jovita who would seal the deal. The sophomore No. 1 would put his match on ice with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Nejc Podkrajsek. The 27th ranked Jovita is now 4-1 in dual singles play.
With the win secured, senior Mahmoud Hamed finished off Henri Mangin, 7-6, 6-0 and Mark Oljaca closed out the singles portion of the day with a win as well. The freshman from Bradenton battled back after dropping the first set 6-4, came back strong to claim the second and third sets, 6-1, 6-4 and is now 2-0 in the season.
With the inclement weather holding off, the Bulls entered double's play looking to carry over the momentum from singles actions and did just that. It would be the Bulls No. 3 getting USF its first doubles win of the dual. Newcomer's Arzhang Derakhshani and Yannick Yoshizawa took care of Thomas and Adeimy, 8-5.
The 15th ranked combination of Jovita and Estrada clinched the doubles point, defeating Podkrajsek and Shishkov, 8-4. Lastly, playing without Romain Deridder for the first time this season, Kilani teamed up with Hamed to close out the match and keep the Bulls perfect on the day with an 8-5 victory over Moore and Sprinks.
With the win, USF is now 4-2 on season and unbeaten at home through two matches at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts. The Bulls will now prepare for arguably their toughest match to date as they are set to travel north to Gainesville for a tilt with No. 7 Florida Gators, Friday, February 20 at 3 p.m.. The Bulls will then be home Thursday, February 26 as they welcome Auburn for a dual match beginning a 2 p.m. at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts.
USF 7, GSU 0
February 15, 2009
USF Varsity Tennis Courts- Tampa, Fla.
Doubles
1. No. 15 Jovita/Estrada (USF) def. Podkrajsek/Shishkov 8-4
2. Hamed/DeRidder (USF) def. Moore/ Spinks 8-5
3. Yoshizawa/Derakshani (USF) def. Thomas/ Adeimy 8-4
Finsih: 3, 1,2
Singles
1 Lucas Jovita (USF) def. Nejc Podkrajsek 6-4, 6-3
2. Wael Kilani (USF) def. Martin Shishkov ? 6-2, 6-0
3. Mahmoud Hamed (USF) def. Henri Mangin ? 7-6, 6-0
4. Jamal Adderley (USF) def. Jackson Moore - 6-3, 6-1
5. Thomas Estrada (USF) def. Lucas Thomaz- 6-3, 6-3
6. Mark Oljaca (USF) def. Trenton Spinks 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
