Late Heroics Push No. 22 Men’s Tennis Past No. 26 Princeton

SAN DIEGO– No. 22 Arizona State men’s tennis (12-5) defeated No. 26 Princeton (16-5) 4-3 in thrilling fashion after the final three singles matches went to third sets, with ASU coming out on top in all three, to overcome a 3-1 deficit. The Sun Devils will play in the Ed Collins Classic Championship Match tomorrow Sunday, March 17 against No. 14 University of San Diego (12-2) at Hogan Tennis Center. Match time is TBD. 

The win over Princeton snapped an 11-match win streak for the Tigers and handed them their first loss in over a month. ASU on the other hand has won seven of their last eight matches. 

The Sun Devils dropped the doubles point to Princeton after losses at the first and second position allowed the Tigers a 1-0 lead headed into singles. Princeton’s #16 ranked duo in the first position took down #36 ranked Bor Artnak and Max McKennon. 

Murphy Cassone made quick work of his opponent with a win in straight sets that took just over an hour, which tied the match 1-1. Jacob Bullard and Max McKennon each fell in straight sets at the 90 minute mark, allowing Princeton to take a 3-1 lead. 

Meanwhile Artnak battled back to win his first set 7-5 after an early 1-3 deficit. In the second set he was behind 2-5, but tied it 5-5 eventually falling 6-7 in the tiebreaker causing a third set. Nicola Cigna and Roi Ginat each forced a third set to keep ASU alive.

Ginat was the next to finish, winning his match 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 to make it a 3-2 match in Princeton’s favor. Minutes later Artnak won his match 6-1 in the third set to tie the match 3-3. Cigna took down Ellis Short in the third set to clinch the match for the Sun Devils. 

Singles competition: 

1. #4 Murphy Cassone (ASU) def. #25 Paul Inchaupse (PU) 6-4, 6-2
2. #74 Bor Artnak (ASU) def. Top Nidunjianzan (PU) 7-5, 6-7, 6-1
3. Sebastian Sec (PU) def. Max McKennon (ASU) 6-6, 6-2
4. Landon Ardila (PU) def. Jacob Bullard (ASU) 6-4, 7-5
5. Nicola Cigna (ASU) def. Ellis Short (PU) 6-7, 7-5, 6-4
6. Roi Ginat (ASU) def. Aleksandar Mitric (PU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1

Order of finish: 1,4,3,6,2,5

Doubles competition: 

1. #16 Paul Inchauspe/Filippos Astreinidis (PU) def. #36 Bor Artnak/Max McKennon (ASU) 6-4
2. Landon Ardila/Ellis Short (PU) def. Murphy Cassone/Jacob Bullard (ASU) 6-4
3. Daniel Phillips/Nicola Cigna (ASU) def. Alan Kam/Top Nidunjianzan (PU) 6-3

Order of finish: 3,2,1

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