SAN DIEGO – After a near four-hour battle in 20 mph winds, No. 41 SMU edged the University of San Diego men's tennis team on Saturday, 4-3.
 
The Mustangs earned the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2. USD bounced back with singles wins from #8 August Holmgren, Sacchitt Sharrma, and Iiro Vasa, but SMU earned a 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 6 singles to seal the win.
 
"Congrats to SMU," said head coach Ryan Keckley. "Their team culture is on point.  They are a very well-coached doubles team as well. They got the best of us today because we didn't trust ourselves enough in the big moments.  We had every opportunity to capitalize on six first sets to secure the opening of singles play and we only connected on four of those first sets. We need to lock up those closing moments deep in sets and play with conviction and focus. This is what needs to happen if we want to beat good teams this year. We let this match slide through our fingertips. Tomorrow is another day to get better, and we look forward to hosting UCLA come Monday."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Singles
1. August Holmgren (USD) defeated Adam Neff (SMU), 6-2, 6-2
2. Caleb Chakravarthi (SMU) defeated Gui Osorio (USD), 7-6, 6-2
3. Sacchitt Sharrma (USD) defeated Liam Krall (SMU), 7-6, 6-3
4. Pranav Kumar (SMU) defeated Alex Stater (USD), 7-5, 6-1
5. Iiro Vasa (USD) defeats Julian Steinhausen (SMU), 6-3, 6-7, 6-4
6. Ivan Thamma (SMU) defeated Will Davies (USD), 6-7, 6-4, 6-4
 
Doubles
1. Adam Neff/Ivan Thamma (SMU) defeated August Holmgren/Gui Osorio (USD), 6-3
2. Liam Krall/Pranav Kumar (SMU) defeated Will Davies/Iiro Vasa (USD), 6-4
3. Marvin Schaber/David Norfeldt (USD) vs. Huntley Allen/Julian Steinhausen (SMU), unfinished
 
UP NEXT
San Diego returns to action on Monday against UCLA. First serve is scheduled for noon.