SAN FRANCISCO — The University of San Francisco men's tennis team beat Portland for the first time in six years Friday, earning a big West Coast Conference win over the Pilots with a 4-2 victory at the California Tennis Club.
 
San Francisco (6-6, 1-3 WCC) came from behind to win the match thanks to four consecutive singles wins. Portland (8-4, 2-2 WCC) won the doubles point and the No. 4 singles spot to go up 2-0 in the match. The Dons answered with wins at the No. 1, 3, 6 and 2 singles matches, all in order.
 
"The Dons competed really hard today and did a great job of recovering after losing a tough doubles point," said San Francisco head coach JT Sundling. "We look forward to bringing the same fight to the courts tomorrow against Gonzaga."
 
Senior Paul Giraud, playing in his final home weekend as a Don, fittingly clinched the win for the Dons with his tightly contested, 7-6, 7-6, win over Eleftherios Neos at No. 2 singles. Nitzan Ricklis beat Portland's No. 1 singles player, Sema Pankin, 6-3, 6-3. Phuc Huynh won, 6-3, 6-3, over Issa Yoshida at No. 3 singles to give the Dons a sweep of the top-three singles spots.
 
Mitch Johnson also helped boost the Dons' comeback with a 6-3, 6-4, sweep of Leo Hibi at No. 6 singles.
 
The Dons host Gonzaga in their final home match of the year Saturday at the California Tennis Club.
 
San Francisco 4, Portland 2
San Francisco – California Tennis Club
April 9, 2021
 
Singles
1. Nitzan Ricklis (USF) def. Sema Pankin (POR), 6-3, 6-3
2. Paul Giraud (USF) def. Eleftherios Neos (POR), 7-6, 7-6
3. Phuc Huynh (USF) def. Issa Yoshida (POR) 6-3, 6-3
4. Nicklas Oberg (POR) def. Ori Maior (USF) 6-1, 6-2
5. Stevie Gould (USF) vs. Nikolas Tvedt (POR), 6-4, 3-6, 4-1 unfinished
6. Mitch Johnson (USF) def. Leo Hibi (POR), 6-3, 6-4
 
Order of finish: 4, 1, 3, 6, 2*
 
Doubles
1. Neos/Yoshida (POR) def. Giraud/Maior (USF), 6-3
2. Pankin/Tvedt (POR) def. Gould/Huynh (USF), 7-6(7)
3. Johan Garpered/Ricklis (USF) def. Hibi/Oberg (SMC), 6-1
 
Order of finish: 3, 1, 2*