TAMPA (Feb. 24, 2017) – In a close competition with Texas A&M, the Bulls worked up a 3-0 lead, but were unable to stay on top, as the Aggies earned four singles wins to claim the match.
After clinching the doubles point, the Bulls took the courts looking for just three singles wins to take the match. The Bulls utilized their momentum to mark four first-set wins, and senior Vadym Kalyuzhnyy kept going to top Hady Habib, posting a 6-2, 6-3 win. The Aggies responded on court one, as No. 16 Arthur Rinderknech and Sasha Gozun went into a tiebreak for the first set. Rinderknech came back strong, 6-0, in the second set to post the first point for Texas A&M.
Peter Bertran took senior Max Lunkin for an intense straight-set win, taking Lunkin 6-3 in the first set and going into a tiebreak for the second. Bertran finished, 6-4, 7-6(3), to give the Bulls the last point they would earn in the match.
Justin Roberts and No. 83 Alberto Barroso-Campos battled on courts four and two, respectively. The Bulls only needed one more point to win the match, and both Barroso-Campos and Roberts went to a third set.
Barroso-Campos fell, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, and all eyes turned to Roberts. Fans hoped he could come back to clinch the match as he did just two weeks ago against Mississippi State. Roberts gained ground after a 4-0 deficit to tie the match, 5-5, but strong serving by AJ Catanzariti put the Aggies in the lead 6-5 in what would be the deciding point. Behind once again, Roberts couldn't regain ground and fell, 5-7, 6-1, 7-5.
In doubles Kalyuzhnyy and freshman Nils Heimer gave the Bulls the first win of the day and Heimer's first win as a Bull, 6-4. Gozun and Barroso-Campos followed their lead defeating Aggies Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot, 6-4.
Key Stats:
· Nils Heimer earned his first win as Bull paired with senior Vadym Kalyuzhnyy for a 6-4 doubles win.
Up Next:
USF will remain at the Varsity Tennis Courts this weekend for a noon match Sunday against Pepperdine.
Results:
Singles competition
1. #16 Arthur Rinderknech (TAMU) def. Sasha Gozun (USF) 7-6 (7-3), 6-0
2. AJ Catanzariti (TAMU) def. Justin Roberts (USF) 5-7, 6-1, 7-5
3. Peter Bertran (USF) def. Max Lunkin (TAMU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
4. Jordi Arconada (TAMU) def. #83 Alberto Barroso-Campos (USF) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
5. Valentin Vacherot (TAMU) def. Pierre Luquet (USF) 6-4, 6-4
6. Vadym Kalyuzhnyy (USF) def. Hady Habib (TAMU) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Sasha Gozun/Alberto Barroso-Campos (USF) def. Arthur Rinderknech/Valentin Vacherot (TAMU) 6-4
2. Peter Bertran/Justin Roberts (USF) vs. AJ Catanzariti/Hady Habib (TAMU) 5-5, unfinished
3. Vadym Kalyuzhnyy/Nils Heimer (USF) def. Jordi Arconada/Max Lunkin (TAMU) 6-4
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (6,1,3,5,4,2)
Be sure to follow USF men's tennis on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. Head coach Ashley Fisher will begin his first year at the helm of the program for the 2017 season after serving as an assistant coach in 2016. The USF men's tennis program has won three consecutive American Athletic Conference Championships and advanced to three straight NCAA tournaments.
– #GoBulls –
