RALEIGH The NC State men’s tennis team added a tune-up match before its big showdown with Michgian, defeating Triangle foe North Carolina Central, 7-0.
The win allows the Pack (4-3) to gain momentum heading into the showdown with the No. 5 Wolverines.
NC State improves to 6-0 all-time against the Eagles (0-4).
Quick reaction from HC Kyle Spencer after the 7-0 win over NCCU. pic.twitter.com/XMVxvqCeLG
— NC State Men’s Tennis 🐺🎾 (@PackMensTennis) February 9, 2023
Doubles (NC State 1, NCCU 0)
NC State got off to such a good start in doubles action that their newly ranked combo of Robin Catry and Luca Staeheli didn’t even finish their match.
Catry and Staeheli, ranked No. 43 in the nation, trailed 6-5 against Sebastian Pino and Oliver Saarinen. It didn’t matter because the Eagles secured the doubles points with a pair of impressive performances.
Damien Salvestre, making his season debut, teamed with Martins Rocens to defeat Kareem Addul Hakim and Naresh Bharathy, 6-2. The Wolfpack wrapped up doubles action with a 6-3 win by Braden Shick and Fons Van Sambeek over Shake Cristellotti and Liam Murtaugh.
Singles (NC State 6, NCCU 0)
NC State got out to a commanding 5-0 lead, with wins from their top four singles players.
Staeheli jumped on Naresh Bharathy early, winning the first set 6-0. He completed the match sweep with a 6-2 win in set two. Rafa Izquierdo Luque was equally impressive on court one, defeating Sebastian Pino, 6-2, 6-1.
The closest contest through any of the first four matches was between Rocens and Abdul Hakim, with Rocens edging out the first set, 6-4. Rocens had a little more breathing room in set two, winning by three.
The Pack and Eagles played out the match and Catry won his first set 6-2 over
Results
NC State 7, NCCU 0
Doubles
Order of finish: (2,3)
1: No. 43 Robin Catry/Luca Staeheli (NCSU) vs. Sebastian Pino/Oliver Saarinen, 5-6 unfinished
2: Damien Salvestre/Martins Rocens (NCSU) def. Kareem Abdul Hakim/Naresh Bharathy, 6-2
3: Braden Shick/Fons Van Sambeek (NCSU) def. Shaka Cristellotti/Liam Murtaugh, 6-3
Singles
Order of finish: (4,1,3,2,6,5)
1: Rafa Izquierdo Luque (NCSU) def. Sebastian Pino, 6-2, 6-1
2: Damien Salvestre (NCSU) def. Oliver Saarinen, 6-2, 6-2
3: Martins Rocens (NCSU) def. Kareem Abdul Hakim, 6-4, 6-3
4:…
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