LOS ANGELES – The San Diego State men's tennis team played its first match outside San Diego County on Friday at the LMU Tennis Center on the campus of Loyola Marymount. The Aztecs won the doubles point and Johannes Seeman advanced to 4-0 on the season in singles with a victory on the top court but San Diego State was bested 5-2 by the Lions.
The Scarlet and Black fall to 1-3 this season, while Loyola Marymount improves to 3-2 with the victory.
"We're looking forward to tomorrow's opportunity against Utah," head coach Gene Carswell said after the match. "Nice job to get out of the gates today with the doubles point, but we didn't sustain our momentum through the singles."
SDSU jumped out to a 1-0 lead by taking the doubles point. Mathieu Josserand and Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice downed John Bryan Otico and Alex Padro Parra 6-2 on the third court. Bora Sengul and Alexander Mandma won 6-3 over Arthur Pantino and Toky Ranaivo on the second court to take the point for San Diego State.
As he has done all season, Seeman played on the top singles court and came out victorious. His matchup with Yassine Smiej was a grueling battle and his first match this season that was not in straight sets. After falling 6-1 in the first set, Seeman bounced back by taking the second 6-4 and coming out on top 7-6 (6) in the third to complete the comeback and remain undefeated.
On the No. 6 court, freshman Gonzalez Fitzmaurice earned an early lead by taking the first set 6-2 but could not close out Alvaro Gonzalez, falling 6-1, 6-3 over the final two sets.
Mandma played on the fourth court against Otico. After falling 6-2 in the first set, Mandma was able to claim five games in the second but was closed out 7-5.
Playing on the No. 2 court, Chikaya Sato was bested by Pantino 6-2, 6-4.
Sengul faced Emin Torlic on the third court but fell 6-4, 6-1.
On the No. 5 court, Josserand was dropped 6-1, 6-4 by Ranaivo.
San Diego State will stay in Los Angeles and play the Utah Utes at noon tomorrow also at the LMU Tennis Center.
Loyola Marymount 5, San Diego State 2
LMU Tennis Center – Los Angeles, Calif.
February 17, 2023
Singles Competition
1. Johannes Seeman (SDSU) def. Yassine Smiej (LMU) 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6)
2. Arthur Pantino (LMU) def. Chikaya Sato (SDSU) 6-2, 6-4
3. Emin Torlic (LMU) def. Bora Sengul (SDSU) 6-4, 6-1
4. John Bryan Otico (LMU) def. Alexander Mandma (SDSU) 6-2, 7-5
5. Toky Ranaivo (LMU) def. Mathieu Josserand (SDSU) 6-1, 6-4
6. Alvaro Gonzalez (LMU) def. Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice (SDSU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-3
Doubles Competition
1. Emin Torlic/Austin Di Giulio (LMU) led Johannes Seeman/Chikaya Sato (SDSU) 4-3
2. Alexander Mandma/Bora Sengul (SDSU) def. Arthur Pantino/Toky Ranaivo (LMU) 6-3
3. Mathieu Josserand/Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice (SDSU) def. John Bryan Otico/Alex Padro Parra (LMU) 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (5,3,2,6,4,1)