Men's Tennis Rally Falls Short Versus Top-Ranked Virginia
March 27, 2009
CORAL GABLES, FLA… – The No. 36 University of Miami men’s tennis team rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the match, but fell just short in its upset bid versus No. 1 Virginia, as the Cavaliers improved to 21-0 with the 4-3 win on Friday afternoon at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.
It was the first time this season that the Cavaliers allowed more than one point to an ACC opponent and just the third time this season they have given up as many as three points.
Virginia (21-0, 6-0 ACC) took the early 1-0 lead, as its No.4 and No. 13 ranked doubles teams picked up wins in the top-two doubles flights. However, Miami’s tandem of David Simon and Christian Blocker won their third-straight match and handed Virginia its first doubles loss in ACC play this season, knocking off Drew Courtney and Lee Singer, 8-3, at the No.3 position.
The Cavaliers raced to the 3-0 advantage, adding straight-sets wins by 69th-ranked Houston Barrick at the No. 4 position and by 18th-ranked Michael Shabaz at the No. 3 spot.
But the Hurricanes (8-7, 4-2 ACC) battled back with three-straight singles wins and within minutes tied the match at 3-all. No. 29 Daniel Vallverdu upended reigning ACC Player of the Week and 15th-ranked Dominic Inglot, 6-4, 6-3, in the top flight for his third-straight victory, while 90th-ranked Carl Sundberg won his 12th match in his last 13 opportunities with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Drew Courtney at the No. 5 position. Keith Crowley capped the rally with a 6-4, 6-2 decision over No. 83 Lee Singer at the No. 6 sot.
The crowd then turned its attention to the pivotal match at No. 2 between UM’s David Rosenfeld and Virginia’s 23rd-ranked Sanam Singh. After dropping the first set, 6-2, Rosenfeld rallied to take the 4-2 lead in the second set. But he couldn’t hold off Singh, who claimed the match-clinching 6-4 win.
“The doubles point was crucial today. They probably have the best doubles combinations in the country and they came ready to play. At No. 3 we played a really, really good match,” said Miami head coach Mario Rincon. “In singles, they have really great players at No. 2 and 3 and they took it to us today. But our guys gave it a good effort and we had chances to win that match.
“They have had a lot of success this year and they are tough. They are No. 1 in the country and they showed that today. We need to play better and hopefully we’ll play our best tennis as we continue with the ACC schedule.”
The Hurricanes return to their home court on Sunday, March 29, playing host to No. 21 Virginia Tech (11-3, 4-1 ACC) at 10 a.m. Admission is free. Fans can also catch the action live on ACC Select.
No. 1 Virginia 4, No. 36 Miami 3
Singles
1. #29 Daniel Vallverdu (UM) def. #15 Dominic Inglot (UVA) 6-4, 6-3
2. #23 Sanam Singh (UVA) def. David Rosenfeld (UM) 6-2, 6-4
3. #18 Michael Shabaz (UVA) def. #117 Christian Blocker (UM) 6-2, 6-0
4. #69 Houston Barrick (UVA) def. David Simon (UM) 6-2, 6-1
5. #90 Carl Sundberg (UM) def. Drew Courtney (UVA) 6-3, 6-1
6. Keith Crowley (UM) def. #83 Lee Singer (UVA) 6-4, 6-2
Order of Finish: 4, 3, 1, 6, 5, 2*
Doubles
1. #13 Dominic Inglot/Michael Shabaz (UVA) def. Daniel Vallverdu/David Rosenfeld (UM) 8-4
2. #4 Sanam Singh/Houston Barrick (UVA) def. Keith Crowley/Carl Sundberg (UM) 8-3
3. David Simon/Christian Blocker (UM) def. Drew Courtney/Lee Singer (UVA) 8-3
Order of Finish: 2, 3*, 1
