San Luis Obispo, Calif. - San Francisco's men's tennis team came short against the University of New Mexico 2-4, putting up a tough fight in singles.
"I give the credit to the Lobos today for earning the close matches in doubles and singles," said head coach
Pablo Pires de Almeida. "Our guys are hungry for tomorrow to do a better job executing."
New Mexico took the first two matches in doubles play to take the first point against the Dons. USF went up a break at number two doubles,
Thomas Takemoto and
Vasco Valverde, and were broken at numbers one and three doubles,
Christian Brockstedt and Alexander Santiago. USF broke back and were all even at all three matches till at numbers 3 and 2 ultimately went down breaks to lose their matches.
Bernardo Saraiva and
Nils Skajaa's strenuous match was delayed at 5-5.
In singles play, Saraiva picked up a two set win, 6-4, 6-4, against Hayden Sabatka to make his record for the spring slate 2-0. He was the only Don to win a first set.
Vasco Valverde put up a fight to win his match in three sets, 3-6, 6-3,6-3. After that,
Johan Samuelsson lost a close tiebreaker for the match against Jorge Escutia 6-2, 7-6 (5).
Nils Skajaa who also made it to the third set, did not complete his match against Mitch McDaniels, but played strong.
The Dons look ahead towards their next match against Cal Poly tomorrow, Feb. 15.
USF, 2 University of New Mexico, 4 Singles | Order to Finish: 1,5,4,6,3 No.1
Bernardo Saraiva (USF) def. Hayden Sabatka (New Mexico); 6-4,6-4
No.3 Rodolfe Jauregui (New Mexico) def.
Thomas Takemoto (USF); 7-6 (5), 6-4
No.4
Vasco Valverde (USF) def. Bart Van Leijsen (New Mexico); 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
No.5 James Hignett (New Mexico) def.
Christian Brockstedt (USF); 6-1, 6-2
No.6 Jorge Escutia (New Mexico) def.
Johan Samuelsson (USF); 6-2, 7-6 (5)
Doubles | Order to Finish: 3,2, No.2 Hignett/Ge (New Mexico) def. Takemoto/Valverde (USF); 6-3
No.3 McDaniels/Baklini (New Mexico) def, Brockstedt/Santiago (USF); 6-3
