SAN DIEGO – Utah State claimed the final three singles matches, including the final two in three sets, as the Aggies defeated San Diego State, 4-3, on Sunday at the Aztec Tennis Center.
The 4-3 loss was the second in three days (San Diego State suffered an identical loss at UNLV on Friday) and is the third one-point loss of the campaign. SDSU is now 5-10 overall and 1-2 in Mountain West Conference play. The Aggies are 8-10 and 2-1 in league.
The Aztecs got off to a strong start, claiming the doubles point. First off, at number three doubles, were Judson Blair and Alexander Mandma who defeated Felipe Acosta and Sergi Mico Fenollar, 6-2.
The Aztecs clinched the point with a victory at the top of the lineup. Joe Tyler and Victor Castro were 6-4 victors versus David Ciemy and Bodin Zarkovic.
Singles play proved to be highly competitive, with all six matches played to completion and three of those needing a third set to determine a winner.
The Aggies recorded the first singles point, with Roko Savin defeating Jules Auffray, 6-0, 6-1, on court five.
SDSU countered with a straight-set win on court six. Blair followed up on his double win with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Javier Ruiz.
Tyler earned the Aztecs third point of the day, winning a three-set match against Zarkovic, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1. The victory pulled the Aztecs to within one point of a match victory with three matches still in play.
However, the Aggies won the opening set in the three remaining matches.
Utah State clinched a victory on court four, with Acosta posting a 7-5, 6-0 win against Madma.
The Aztecs battled back on the two remaining matches on courts two and three to force a third set.
On court two, Ciemy outlasted Johannes Seeman, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, to tie the team score at three.
That out the match outcome in the hands of the participants on court three. SDSU's Castro came up just short, falling to Mico Fenollar, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.
Up Next
San Diego State is back in action on Saturday, April 16 at the Aztec Tennis Center when the Aztecs play host to New Mexico. The match will begin at 11 a.m. PT and admission is free.
Men's Tennis: Utah State 4, San Diego State 3
Singles
1. Joe Tyler (SDSU) def. Bodin Zarkovic (USU) – 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
2. David Ciemy (USU) def. Johannes Seeman (SDSU) – 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
3. Sergi Mico Fenollar (USU) def. Victor Castro (SDSU) – 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
4. Felipe Acosta (USU) def. Alexander Mandma (SDSU) – 7-5, 6-0
5. Roko Savin (USU) def. Jules Auffray (SDSU) – 6-0, 6-1
6. Judson Blair (SDSU) def. Javier Ruiz – 6-3, 6-2
Doubles
1. Joe Tyler / Victor Castro (SDSU) def. David Ciemy / Bodin Zarkovic (USU) – 6-4
2. Jack Ninteman / Javier Ruiz (USU) vs. Johannes Seeman / Roni Rikkonen (SDSU) – 5-4 (unfinished)
3. Judson Blair / Alexander Mandma (SDSU) def. Felipe Acosta / Sergi Mico Fenollar (USU) – 6-2
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 1); Singles (5, 6, 1, 4, 2, 3)
Team Records: San Diego State (5-10; 1-2 Mountain West), Utah State (8-10; 2-1 Mountain West)