M. Tennis Falls to No. 13 California
STANFORD, Calif. – Facing No. 13 California in the opening round of ITA Kick-Off Weekend, the University of Miami men’s tennis team fell to the Golden Bears, 0-4, Saturday night at Taube South.
In doubles action, the teams split a pair of matches on courts 1 and 2, with sophomore Franco Aubone and junior Benjamin Hannestad, ranked ninth on the Oracle/ITA doubles list, topping Cal’s Yuta Kikuchi and Jack Molloy, 6-3.
On the adjacent court, redshirt senior Dane Dunlap and junior Bojan Jankulovski fell, 4-6, against Can Kaya and Paul Barretto.
In the deciding doubles match, sophomore Francisco Bastias and junior Adria Soriano Barrera found themselves in a back-and-forth tiebreaker against Bjorn Hoffman and Ben Draper. Ultimately, California earned the break and collected the advantageous doubles point, 7-6 (7-4).
In singles, California (1-0) doubled its lead when Barretto topped Bastias, 6-0, 6-4.
Facing No. 49 Molloy, Dunlap was unable to force a third set, falling 4-6, 2-6, as California pulled within a point of clinching.
At No. 1 singles, No. 63 Soriano Barrera claimed the opening set against No. 34 Kikuchi, but was unable to hold on in the second and third sets, dropping the match 6-3, 4-6, 4-6.
The remaining three matches remained unfinished, with Hoffmann holding a slight advantage on court 6, 4-6, 6-4, 3-2, while Jankulovski led 6-7, 6-4, 2-1 on court 5.
On court 3, Hannestad was tied with Hunter, 4-6, 6-2, 5-5, when play was halted.
The Hurricanes (3-1) will wrap up play in Stanford on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET against Tulane.
To keep up with the University of Miami men’s tennis team on social media, follow @CanesMensTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Singles
1. No. 34 Yuta Kikuchi (CAL) def. No. 63 A. Soriano Barrera (UM) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
2. No. 49 Jack Molloy (CAL) def. Dane Dunlap (UM) 6-4, 6-2
3. Kent Hunter (CAL) vs. Benjamin Hannestad (UM) 6-4, 2-6, 5-5, unfinished
4. Paul Barretto (CAL) def. Francisco Bastias (UM) 6-0, 6-4
5. Ben Draper (CAL) vs. Bojan Jankulovski (UM) 7-6, 4-6, 1-2, unfinished
6. No. 81 Bjorn Hoffmann (CAL) vs. Franco Aubone (UM) 4-6, 6-4, 3-2, unfinished
Doubles
1. No. 9 Franco Aubone/Benjamin Hannestad (UM) def. Yuta Kikuchi/Jack Molloy (CAL) 6-3
2. Paul Barretto/Can Kaaya (CAL) def. Dane Dunlap/Bojan Jankulovski (UM) 6-4
3. Bjorn Hoffmann/Kent Hunter (CAL) def. Francisco Bastias/A. Soriano Barrera (UM) 7-6 (7-4)
Match Notes:
University of Miami 3-1
California 1-0; National ranking #13
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (4,2,1)
ITA Kick-Off Weekend (Stanford, Calif.)
