@CanesMensTennis Falls 4-1 to Tulane
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The No. 52 University of Miami men’s tennis team fell to No. 61 Tulane, 4-1, in the ITA Kickoff Weekend at the Hurd Tennis Center at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. The Canes won two doubles matches and were leading in a pair of singles matches when the event was called.
“Our doubles looked better today,” said head coach Mario Rincon. “Alex has gotten better in each doubles match, and he gives us a great boost with his energy. Him and Nile had a lot of poise to win the doubles point for us. Kevin played very well in his doubles win with Wilfredo,” added Rincon.
The Canes came out firing in doubles play with two strong wins. Senior Wilfredo Gonzalez teamed up with freshman Kevin Bondar and controlled their match against Sebastian Rey and Ian Van Cott, 6-3. The freshman duo of Nile Clark and Alexander Fahnehjelm came out on top against Constantin Schmitz and Alex Van Cott in a tight match, 6-4.
Senior Henrique Tsukamoto and freshman Piotr Lomacki were unable to get into a rhythm against Dominik Koepfer and Chi-Shan Jao falling, 6-2.
In singles action, No. 56 Lomacki had the difficult task of facing No. 9 Dominik Koepfer and fell in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. Fellow freshman Christian Langmo fell in a tough match against Constantin Schmitz, 6-3, 6-1, in the fourth position.
Senior Tsukamoto could not close out in an epic tennis match against Sebastian Rey, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Fellow senior Gonzalez was outmatched against Alex Van Cott falling, 6-1, 6-1.
Lone sophomore Bernard Tefel faced Chi-Shan Jao in a close three-set match, which was left unfinished, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 3-0. Freshman Niclas Genovese’s tight three-set match against Ian Van Cott was also left unfinished, 2-6, 7-6(7), 3-3.
“Tulane was too strong for us in some singles spots, but we still had plenty of chances at #3, 5 and 6,” said Rincon. “We have a long way to go with this team, but our guys work hard and are eager to improve and to learn. We look forward to playing our next few matches at home.”
The Hurricanes will be back in action in February when they host a string of home matches against Florida Gulf Coast and Liberty on Feb. 7, Kennesaw State on Feb. 13 and No. 53 Pepperdine on Feb. 14.
Stay up to date with the Canes on HurricaneSports.com. To interact with the UM men’s tennis team socially, follow @CanesMensTennis on Twitter and like the team on Facebook.com/CanesMensTennis.
#61 Tulane 4, #52 Miami 1
Singles competition
1. #9 Dominik Koepfer (Tulane) def. #56 Piotr Lomacki (UM), 6-2, 6-2
2. Alex Van Cott (Tulane) def. Wilfredo Gonzalez (UM), 6-1, 6-1
3. Sebastian Rey (Tulane) def. Henrique Tsukamoto (UM), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
4. Constantin Schmitz (Tulane) def. Christian Langmo (UM), 6-3, 6-1
5. Bernard Tefel (UM) vs. Chi-Shan Jao (Tulane), 6-4, 6-7(5-7), 3-0, unfinished
6. Niclas Genovese (UM) vs. Ian Van Cott (Tulane), 2-6, 7-6(7), 3-3, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Koepfer/Jao (Tulane) def. Tsukamoto/Lomacki (UM), 6-2
2. Clark/Fahnehjelm (UM) def. Schmitz/Van Cott (Tulane), 6-4
3. Gonzalez/Bondar (UM) def. Rey/Van Cott (Tulane), 6-3
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,4,2,3)
