ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The San Diego State men's tennis team faced off against the No. 60-ranked New Mexico Lobos in Albuquerque, N.M., on Thursday, April 20. SDSU won a set on four singles courts, but reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Week Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice was the only player to win his match in a 4-1 loss.
The Scarlet and Black drop to 2-14 overall and 0-5 in conference this season, while the first-place Lobos improve to 14-5 overall with a perfect 5-0 record in conference play.
"We gave New Mexico a good run today with four matches going to a final third set," Head Coach Gene Carswell said after the match. "We're improving against the best in the conference. Our goal is to peak at the championship tournament."
Gonzalez Fitzmaurice (4-7) played on the No. 5 court versus Nikolay Sysoev. He took the first set 6-3 but lost the second 6-2. Gonzalez Fitzmaurice came back strong in the third set, winning 7-5 to get San Diego State on the board.
On the second court, Chikaya Sato (5-9) drew Rafael Abdulsalam. Sato jumped out to an early lead by taking the first set 6-4, but could not close out Abdulsalam, dropping the ensuing sets 6-4, 6-2.
On the top court, Johannes Seeman (5-8) battled Arda Azkara but fell in straight sets 6-2, 6-4.
Making his second appearance of the dual season, Liam Spiers (0-2) played Georgio Samaha on the sixth court. He was bested 6-2, 6-4.
On the third court, Bora Sengul (1-10) faced Aram Noroozian. In a very competitive first set, the Lobo finished on top 7-6 (9-7). Sengul came back to take the second set 6-3 but trailed 4-1 in the third when the match was decided.
Alexander Mandma (4-6) played on the No. 4 court against Ryoma Matsushita. After winning the first set 6-4, Mandma was in the driver's seat as he tried to close out Matsushita. It was very competitive, but Matsushita took the second set in the tiebreaker 7-6 (3). The two were knotted at two in the final set when New Mexico clinched victory.
In doubles, the top San Diego State team of Seeman and Sato faced Azkara and Alex Maggs but fell 6-2. On the third court, Andre Saleh and Gonzalez Fitzmaurice battled Matsushita and Samaha but could not come through with the victory 6-3. Mandma and Sengul went up against Abdulsalam and Noroozian on court No. 2, where they trailed 4-3 when the Lobos clinched the doubles point.
San Diego State will finish up its regular season at Air Force on Saturday, April 22 at Noon MT/11 a.m. PT. Next week, SDSU will compete in the Mountain West Championships with the first round taking place at 5 p.m. PT on Wednesday, April 26, in Las Vegas.
New Mexico 4, San Diego State 1
Linda Estes Tennis Complex – Albuquerque, N.M.
April 20, 2023
Singles Competition
1. Arda Azkara (UNM) def. Johannes Seeman (SDSU) 6-2, 6-4
2. Rafael Abdulsalam (UNM) def. Chikaya Sato (SDSU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
3. Aram Noroozian (UNM) led Bora Sengul (SDSU) 7-6 (9-7), 3-6, 4-1
4. Alexander Mandma (SDSU) vs. Ryoma Matsushita (UNM) 6-4, 6-7 (3), 2-2
5. Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice (SDSU) def. Nikolay Sysoev (UNM) 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
6. Georgio Samaha (UNM) def. Liam Spiers (SDSU) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles Competition
1. Arda Azkara/Alex Maggs (UNM) def. Johannes Seeman/Chikaya Sato (SDSU) 6-2
2. Rafael Abdulsalam/Aram Noroozian (UNM) led Alexander Mandma/Bora Sengul (SDSU) 4-3
3. Ryoma Matsushita/Georgio Samaha (UNM) def. Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice/Andre Saleh (SDSU) 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (6,1,5,2)