TEMPE, Ariz. – In a match that was closer than the 4-1 score indicated, No. 15 men’s tennis fell to No. 9 Arizona in the Diablo College Tennis Invitational final on Sunday.
Arizona jumped out to an early lead, winning the doubles point with its ranked duos despites Sophomore Ozan Baris and freshman Aristotelis Thanos’ 6-3 win on the main court. The Wildcats would then take the first two singles points at No. 5 and No. 6 to take a 3-0 lead.
Baris put the first MSU point on the board with a smooth 6-3, 6-2 win over national No. 76 Gustaf Strom at No. 2 singles.
With the final three matches in the third set, the Spartans would need to win each to complete the comeback and claim the weekend title. No. 19 Ronald Hohmann III would fall on court one to national No. 6 Colton Smith on court one however, sealing the Arizona victory.
Next, the Spartans, now 14-2 on the season, will return home to host Cornell on Sunday, March 10, with first serve set for noon.
Results
#15 Michigan State 1 (14-2), #9 Arizona 4 (12-2)
Doubles
1. Herman Hoeyeraal/Eric Padgham (UA) def. Ozan Baris/Aristotelis Thanos (MSU) 6-3
2. #11 Colton Smith/Jay Friend (UA) def. Taym Alazmeh/Ronald Hohmann (MSU) 6-4
3. #49 Sasha Rozin/Gustaf Strom (UA) def. Max Sheldon/Graydon Lair (MSU) 6-3
Singles
1. #6 Colton Smith (UA) def. #19 Ronald Hohmann (MSU) 5-7, 7-5, 6-1
2. #4 Ozan Baris (MSU) def. Gustaf Strom (UA) 6-4, 6-2
3. #39 Jay Friend (UA) vs. Aristotelis Thanos (MSU) 4-6, 6-2, 5-4, unfinished
4. #76 Nick Lagaev (UA) vs. Sebastien Collard (MSU) 6-3, 4-6, 1-2, unfinished
5. Herman Hoeyeraal (UA) def. David Saye (MSU) 6-3, 6-2
6. Casper…
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