March 1, 2007
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State men's tennis team snapped its five-match losing streak on Thursday afternoon by defeating UC Irvine, 5-2, at Aztec Tennis Center. The win improves SDSU's record to 3-5, while the Anteaters fall to the same 3-5 mark.
The day started great with the Aztecs winning the doubles point for the second time in the last three matches. The San Diego State duo of Billy Timu and Robert Sabo emerged with an 8-6 victory at No. 2, while Markus Dickhardt and Juan Gomez pulled out a tight 9-8 decision at No. 3 to seal the point. Christian Groh and Anthony Gomez were not as fortunate, however, as they were downed at No. 1 by a score of 8-6.
In singles action, the Aztecs were led by its three players at the top of the order beginning with nationally ranked Dickhardt. The senior, ranked No. 68 in collegiate tennis, continued his winning ways as he disposed of Aaron Yovan in three sets to run his winning streak to four matches.
Juan Gomez, playing just his second match at No. 2, battled through a tough match to escape with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over Victor Lamm and was followed by Anthony Gomez's straight-sets victory at No. 3 to break a personal three-match losing skid.
San Diego State's fifth and final team point came after Achim Ceban downed Alex Sundling at No. 5 in two sets, 6-4, 6-2.
The Aztecs return to the courts tomorrow as select players will participate in the Pacific Coast Doubles Championship in La Jolla, Calif. SDSU's next dual match is set for March 10 at UC Santa Barbara.
San Diego State 5, UC Irvine 2
Aztec Tennis Center (San Diego, Calif.)
Doubles
1. Aaron Yovan/Mustafa Ulukan (UCI) def. Christian Groh/Anthony Gomez (SDSU), 8-6
2. Billy Timu/Robert Sabo (SDSU) def. Zac Tsai/Hesham Kenawy (UCI), 8-6
3. Markus Dickhardt/Juan Gomez (SDSU) def. Victor Lamm/Alex Sundling (UCI), 9-8
San Diego State wins doubles point
Singles
1. #68 Markus Dickhardt (SDSU) def. Aaron Yovan (UCI), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
2. Juan Gomez (SDSU) def. Victor Lamm (UCI), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
3. Anthony Gomez (SDSU) def. Mustafa Ulukan (UCI), 7-6(5), 6-4
4. Shimpei Suzuki (UCI) def. Robert Sabo (SDSU), 7-6(3), 6-1
5. Achim Ceban (SDSU) def. Alex Sundling (UCI), 6-4, 6-2
6. Zac Tsai (UCI) def. Michael Beron (SDSU), 4-6, 6-4, 6-3