SAN DIEGO – No. 8 San Diego men's tennis went back to winning ways as it beat Miami 4-1 in the ITA Kick-Off regional consolation match at Hogan Tennis Center Saturday.
"Solid bounce-back performance from this group today," head coach Ryan Keckley said. "To turn around in half a day and be ready for another fight is a testament to the leadership of this squad."
Coming off the loss in the opening round of hosting the ITA Kick Off Weekend regional, the Toreros were in unfamiliar territory again after losing a doubles point for the first time this season in difficult fashion. USD No. 71 pairing of Adrien Berrut and Lambert Ruland stayed undefeated so far on the fresh season as they finished first winning 6-3, not allowing opponent duos to garner more than three games in a set thus far. After a close loss of the second match, the doubles point was on the line on court three where freshmen Vincent Marysko and Luc Wieland found themselves in a tough tiebreaker, in which they lost in close but heartbreaking fashion, 7-6 (7-5).
Toreros countered, as it was in singles play where USD starred. Marysko found himself in another tiebreaker, but this time getting the benefit of the doubt in his first singles win of his collegiate career, as he won the first set 6-3 before a back and forth second set where he pulled away in the tiebreaker winning 7-6 (7-2), tying the score for San Diego at one a piece.
Taking the day off from doubles play, reigning WCC player of the year Oliver Tarvet showcased his talent against the best from other conferences, as he faced off against No. 30 Antonio Prat where he won in straight sets 6-3 and 7-5 to give San Diego the lead 2-1. Ruland got his second victory of the day in his first singles match of the season after missing all of last season due to injury, winning in two sets 6-4 and 6-3 to put USD in charge of completing the comeback.
After originally losing the first set, sophomore Manvydas Balciunas rallied back 6-2 and 6-3 finishing the job and clinching the winning point for the Toreros. Despite their matches now becoming unfinished, both Adrien Berrut and Stian Klaassen found themselves in a groove to potentially win their respective matches as well. Berrut was leading in the second set coming off a 7-6 (7-5) tiebreaker and Klaassen responded to losing his first set by dominating in the second set 6-1 and leading 3-1 before the news that the Toreros won.
"Miami is a gritty, outdoor team who are used to making tennis uncomfortable for their opponents," said Keckley. "I thought we did a better job implementing our brand of tennis and taking it to them. We need a focused and urgent week of practice to prepare for ASU."
Up Next
In another revenge match, San Diego men's tennis continue its prolonged home stand as it hosts Arizona State again on Friday, Jan. 30 at noon at the Hogan Tennis Center, looking to avenge its ITA Kick Off Weekend opening round 4-2 loss on Friday, Jan. 23.
Results
No. 8 San Diego 4, Miami 1
Doubles
1. #73 Lambert Ruland/Adrien Berrut (USD) def. Antonio Prat/Nacho Serra Sanchez (UM) 6-3
2. Mehdi Sadaoui/Jakub Kroslak (UM) def. Stian Klaassen/Manvydas Balciunas (USD) 6-4
3. Rafael Segado/Jules Garot (UM) def. Luc Wieland/Vincent Marysko (USD) 7-6 (7-5)
Singles
1. Oliver Tarvet (USD) def. #30 Antonio Prat (UM) 6-3, 7-5
2. Vincent Marysko (USD) def. Nacho Serra Sanchez (UM) 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
3. Manvydas Balciunas (USD) def. Jakub Kroslak (UM) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
4. Stian Klaassen (USD) vs. Mehdi Sadaoui (UM) 4-6, 6-1, 3-1, unfinished
5. Lambert Ruland (USD) def. Rafael Segado (UM) 6-4, 6-3
6. Adrien Berrut (USD) vs. Jules Garot (UM) 7-6 (7-5), 4-3, unfinished
Match Notes:
Miami 3-2
San Diego 3-1; National ranking #8
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,1,5,3)
