Men?s Tennis Upset by No. 15 Washington 4-2
2/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
SEATTLE, Wash.- The 10th ranked University of Alabama men's tennis team fell to No. 15 Washington, 4-2, at the Lloyd Nordstrom Tennis Center on the University of Washington campus in the consolation bracket of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships. With the loss the Tide falls to 7-2 in dual matches.
"Today's match was a very disappointing match to loose as we certainly had some opportunities," said Alabama head coach Billy Pate. "Washington has a very good team and played exceptionally inspired on their home court. We just have to be better handling the momentum and seizing opportunities."
Alabama lost the doubles point for only the second time this season. The Tide fell at nos. 2 and 3 to give the Huskies the point. Alabama's top tandem of Daniel Buikema and Mathieu Thibaudeau defeated Derek Drabble and Andy Kuharszky, 8-6, to pick up the Tide's only doubles win.
In singles, Alabama's Thibaudeau and Struyf were the only two players to pick up wins for the Tide. Thibaudeau cruised by Washington's Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, 6-2, 6-2, from the No. 2 position. Struyf earned the second Alabama point by defeating Andy Kuharszky, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, at the No. 3 slot.
Buikema rallied back from the No. 5 spot to tie his match at 4-4 in the third set before his match was suspended. Down 4-5 in the second set, Buikema broke Washington's Tobi Obenaus and served for the game. Buikema clinched the second set victory 7-2 in the tiebreaker.
"Tomorrow will be another battle with Boise State so there's no time to get down," said Pate. "It's crucial we are ready to focus and go at it again."
Alabama returns to the Seattle Tennis Club tomorrow afternoon for its third match in three days. The Tide takes on Boise State at 5:30 p.m. PST. Complete results from the match can be found at www.rolltide.com.
#10 Alabama 2, #15 Washington 4
Lloyd Nordstrom Tennis Center
Seattle, Wash.
Singles
1. Patrik Fischer (UW) d. Saketh Myneni (UA) 6-4, 6-1
2. Mat Thibaudeau (UA) d. Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan (UW) 6-2, 6-2
3. Sammy Struyf (UA) d. Andy Kuharszky (UW) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
4. Derek Drabble (UW) d. Michael Jung (UA) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(2)
5. Daniel Buikema (UA) vs. Tobi Obenaus (UW) 4-6, 7-6(2), 4-4, susp.
6. Ryo Sekiguchi (UW) d. Javier Bes (UA) 6-4, 4-6, 3-6
Order of finish: 2,1,3,4,5*
Doubles
1. Buikema/Thibaudeau (UA) d. Drabble/Kuharszky (UW) 8-6
2. Fischer/Nedunchezhiyan (UW) d. Myneni/Jung (UA) 8-3
3. Obenaus/Kildahl (UW) d. Bes/Struyf (UA) 8-6
Order of finish: 1,2,3
-UA-
