@CanesMensTennis Falls 4-2 to Georgia Tech
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami men’s tennis team fell, 4-2, in its ACC opener against Georgia Tech in a tough match at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center in Coral Gables, Fla.
The day began with doubles play where the Canes battled in three tough matches. Senior Wilfredo Gonzalez and freshman Kevin Bondar were unable to get into a rhythm and fell to Michael Kay and Chris Eubanks, 8-3. Henrique Tsukamoto and Piotr Lomacki fell to Carlos Benito and Eduardo Segura in a tiebreak, 8-7(5).
The freshman duo of Nile Clark and Alexander Fahnehjelm were up 7-6 against Casey Kay and Cole Fiegel when the match was called.
“We had plenty of chances in the doubles that we could not put away,” said head coach Mario Rincon. “We were in a perfect situation to close both matches, nevertheless, we played at a high level in doubles.”
After a three-hour rain delay that halted singles action, the Canes would return to the courts to finish their matches.
No. 75 Lomacki led the way for the Canes, where he defeated No. 57 Christopher Eubanks in a straight-set victory, 7-5, 6-2. Lomacki has now won five straight singles matches.
“He [Piotr] is a player that when he is on, very few players are going to have a chance,” said Rincon. “He is a hard worker, he loves to practice and loves the competition, and he loves the team atmosphere.”
Senior Tsukamoto also came away with a win in a tough three-set match. After falling in the first set, Tsukamoto stormed back to defeat Michael Kay, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Fellow senior Gonzalez was unable to develop a rhythm and fell in a tough match against Carlos Benito, 6-2, 6-4. Freshman Christian Langmo battled in a first set tiebreak but could not close out against No. 90 Nathan Rakitt and fell, 7-6(3), 6-3.
Lone sophomore Bernard Tefel came back strong in the second but could not topple Cole Fiegel falling, 6-0, 7-5.
Freshman Bondar pushed the match to a third set against Eduardo Segura but the match was called at, 3-6, 7-5, 1-2.
In an additional match, Niclas Genovese fell to Daniel Yun, 6-2, 6-4.
“Overall, we fought really hard and we battled. I’m really proud of the guys for coming back really strong after the rain delay and for giving us an opportunity to come back in the match,” concluded Rincon.
The Canes will now travel to North Carolina for a pair of ACC match-ups. Miami will face No. 19 North Carolina on Friday, March 13 at 3 p.m. and then will face No. 2 Duke on Sunday, March 15 at 12 p.m.
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 Instagram and like the team on Facebook.com/CanesMensTennis.
Georgia Tech 4, Miami 2
Singles Competition
1. #75 Piotr Lomacki def. #57 Christopher Eubanks, 7-5, 6-2
2. #90 Nathan Rakitt (GT) def. Christian Langmo (UM), 7-6(3), 6-3
3. Carlos Benito (GT) def. Wilfredo Gonzalez (UM), 6-2, 6-4
4. Henrique Tsukamoto (UM) def. Michael Kay (GT), 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
5. Cole Fiegel (GT) def. Bernard Tefel (UM), 6-0, 7-5
6. Kevin Bondar (UM) vs. Eduardo Segura (GT), 3-6, 7-5, 1-2, unfinished
Doubles Competition
1. Benito/Segura (GT) def. Tsukamoto/Lomacki (UM), 8-7(5)
2. M. Kay/Eubanks (GT) def. Gonzalez/Bondar (UM), 8-3
3. Clark/Fahnehjelm (UM) vs. C. Kay/Fiegel (GT), 7-6, unfinished
Additional Match: Daniel Yun (GT) def. Niclas Genovese (UM), 6-2, 6-4
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (1,5,2,4,3)
