March 30, 2007
SAN DIEGO - The 52nd-ranked San Diego State men's tennis squad opened Mountain West Conference play on Friday morning with a 6-1 win over UNLV at Aztec Tennis Center. The decision marked the fifth consecutive victory for the Aztecs, who improve to 10-6 overall (1-0 MWC), while the Rebels fall to 8-11 (1-1 MWC).
In doubles, No. 17 Markus Dickhardt and Christian Groh posted a 9-7 decision over Elliot Wronski and Brett Hunter at the top of the order, but UNLV ended doubles competition with a 1-0 overall lead after winning at Nos. 2-3.
As the contest moved into singles, it was all Aztecs as they swept all six matches for the third time in the last four outings.
First off the court was 92nd-ranked Christian Groh, who breezed to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Brett Hunter at No. 2, knotting the match at one apiece. Much later, Achim Ceban gave SDSU a lead it would not relinquish as he downed David Campbell, 6-4, 6-3, on court No. 4 for his fifth straight victory, while Juan Gomez and Robert Sabo posted wins within minutes of each other at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, to clinch the match.
With the outcome already decided, Anthony Gomez put an end to his match at third singles by defeating Wesley Burrows in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, and Dickhardt did the same by outlasting 59th-ranked Elliot Wronski, 6-1, 5-7, 6-1.
No. 52 Dickhardt has now won five straight over nationally ranked players and runs his overall winning streak to a career-best 12 matches. Overall, the reigning MWC player of the week improves to 14-2 and 10-1 at the top of the singles ladder.
With the victory, the Aztecs have now won eight straight MWC openers and have won three straight despite losing the doubles point after going 0-5 prior to the run.
San Diego State will return to the courts on Saturday afternoon as they play host to No. 47 New Mexico, which beat 69th-ranked Brigham Young on Friday. First serve is set for 2 p.m. PDT at Aztec Tennis Center.
#52 San Diego State 6, UNLV 1
Aztec Tennis Center (San Diego, Calif.)
Doubles
1. #17 Markus Dickhardt/Christian Groh (SDSU) def. Elliot Wronski/Brett Hunter (UNLV), 9-7
2. Wesley Burrows/Jonathan Hooper (UNLV) def. Anthony Gomez/Achim Ceban (SDSU), 9-8
3. David Campbell/Slavko Bijelica (UNLV) def. Juan Gomez/Billy Timu (SDSU), 8-6
UNLV wins doubles point
Singles
1. #52 Markus Dickhardt (SDSU) def. #59 Elliot Wronski (UNLV), 6-1, 5-7, 6-1
2. #92 Christian Groh (SDSU) def. Brett Hunter (UNLV), 6-1, 6-0
3. Anthony Gomez (SDSU) def. Wesley Burrows (UNLV), 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
4. Achim Ceban (SDSU) def. David Campbell (UNLV), 6-4, 6-3
5. Juan Gomez (SDSU) def. Slavko Bijelica (UNLV), 6-4, 6-4
6. Robert Sabo (SDSU) def. Luca Barlocchi (UNLV), 6-2, 6-2