March 31, 2007
SAN DIEGO - The 52nd-ranked San Diego State men's tennis team posted its sixth straight win with its 6-1 decision over No. 47 New Mexico Saturday afternoon at Aztec Tennis Center. The victory lifts SDSU's overall record to 11-6 and 2-0 in the Mountain West Conference, while the Lobos drop to 12-6 (1-1 MWC).
Doubles play started off shaky for the Aztecs as the duo of Juan Gomez and Anthony Gomez lost a hard-fought match, 9-7, at No. 3 to Chris Parkes and Graeme Kassautzki. However, San Diego State laid all concerns to rest after Billy Timu and Achim Ceban disposed of Johnny Parkes and Miles Bugby, 8-6, at No. 2, and 17th-ranked Markus Dickhardt and Christian Groh followed suit after defeating their New Mexico counterparts at the top of the order, 8-3.
Taking a 1-0 lead heading into singles, the Aztecs turned up the heat and increased their lead to three thanks to victories from Robert Sabo and Markus Dickhardt. Sabo experienced no trouble at No. 6 as he rolled to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Joe Nicolazzi, while No. 52 Dickhardt came back from a 2-0 hole in the second set to beat Max Jones at the top of the order, 6-3, 6-3, for his 13th consecutive victory.
With the remaining four matches closely contested, New Mexico got on the board as a result of Kassautzki beating Anthony Gomez at No. 3 in straight sets. Following the Lobos' lone point, it was all Aztecs as 92nd-ranked Groh secured the team victory with his 6-4, 7-5 decision over Johnny Parkes and Juan Gomez and Ceban posted wins at their respective slots to provide the final margin.
San Diego State will look to improve to 3-0 the league play when it takes the court Sunday, April 1, against No. 74 TCU. The Aztecs' date with the defending conference tournament champions is set for 11 a.m. PDT at Aztec Tennis Center.
#52 San Diego State 6, #47 New Mexico 1
Aztec Tennis Center (San Diego, Calif.)
Doubles
1. #17 Markus Dickhardt/Christian Groh (SDSU) def. Max Jones/Kamil Pajkowski (UNM), 8-3
2. Billy Timu/Achim Ceban (SDSU) def. Johnny Parkes/Miles Bugby (UNM), 8-6
3. Chris Parkes/Graeme Kassautzki (UNM) def. Juan Gomez/Anthony Gomez (SDSU), 9-7
San Diego State wins doubles point
Singles
1. #52 Markus Dickhardt (SDSU) def. Max Jones (UNM), 6-3, 6-3
2. #92 Christian Groh (SDSU) def. Johnny Parkes (UNM), 6-4, 7-5
3. Graeme Kassautzki (UNM) def. Anthony Gomez (SDSU), 6-4, 6-4
4. Juan Gomez (SDSU) def. Miles Bugby (UNM), 4-6, 6-0, 6-4
5. Achim Ceban (SDSU) def. Kamil Pajkowski (UNM), 7-6, 6-7, 1-0 (10-4)
6. Robert Sabo (SDSU) def. Joe Nicolazzi (UNM), 6-1, 6-0
Order of finish: 6, 1, 3, 2*, 4, 5
* Match-securing victory