@CanesMensTennis Comes Up Short Against MTSU
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The No. 74 ranked University of Miami men’s tennis team fell to No. 61 Middle Tennessee, 5-2, this afternoon at the Tennis Neil Schiff Tennis Center.
The Hurricanes (6-5, 1-0) made a complete team effort in doubles and singles, but came up just short against the Blue Raiders.
Miami earned its first point of the day in doubles play, with the No. 2 and No. 3 positions giving a strong effort. On court two, Piotr Lomacki and Nile Clark defeated Miguel Negre Fernandez and Gian Issa, 6-3. At the No. 3 position, junior Jesse Flores and sophomore Kevin Bondar wrapped up doubles play with a 6-3 victory.
Entering into singles, the Canes found themselves neck and neck against the Blue Raiders. With the doubles point squared away, it was lone scorer and No. 28 Lomacki at the No. 1 spot who gave Miami its second point. Lomacki defeated Dima Zyhmantovich, 6-1, 6-2.
“We played really good doubles at all positions, and MTSU was very strong in singles,” Miami head coach Mario Rinco said. “Piotr was able to finish his match in two sets, but everyone else had a tough afternoon. We had a few chances to finish matches, but we didn’t close them out. MTSU played better in the big points.”
Miami battled hard against MTSU on all remaining courts but ultimately fell to the Blue Raiders. At the No. 4 position, freshman Fermin Calvo fell to Miguel Negre, 6-4, 6-3. Clark went three sets, but was defeated by Luis Morillo Diaz, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6. At the No. 6 spot, Niclas Genovese saw three sets also, but fell to Gian Issa, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6. Junior Max Andrews played with determination, but came up just shy against Gonzalo Morell, 1-6, 6-1, 7-6.
“We are looking forward to a great match against Duke on Friday at 2:30 p.m., and we hope to see many of our Cane fans out here,” Rincon said.
The Hurricanes will continue play at The Neil Schiff Tennis Center as they take on No. 66 Duke Fri., March 11 at 2:30 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.
Tennis Match Results
Middle Tennessee vs Miami Mar 08, 2016 at Coral Gables, Fla. (Neil Schiff Tennis Center)
#54 Middle Tennessee 5, #74 Miami 2
Singles competition
1. #28 Piotr Lomacki (UM) def. Dima Zyhmantovich (MT) 6-1, 6-2
2. Gonzalo Morell (MT) def. Max Andrews (UM) 1-6, 6-1, 7-6
3. Ayed Zatar Cordero (MT) def. Jesse Flores (UM) 6-1, 7-5
4. Miguel Negre (MT) def. Fermin Calvo (UM) 6-4, 6-3
5. Luis Morillo Diaz (MT) def. Nile Clark (UM) 3-6, 7-5, 6-2
6. Gian Issa (MT) def. Niclas Genovese (UM) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6
Doubles competition
1. Max Andrews/Bernard Tefel (UM) vs. Ayed Zatar Cordero/Gonzalo Morell (MT) 4-5, unfinished
2. Piotr Lomacki/Nile Clark (UM) def. Miguel Negre/Gian Issa (MT) 6-3
3. Jesse Flores/Kevin Bondar (UM) def. Luis Morillo Diaz/Dima Zyhmantovich (MT) 6-3
Match Notes:
Middle Tennessee 11-2; National ranking #54
Miami 6-5; National ranking #74
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,3,4,5,6,2)
