SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah men’s tennis team secured the first victory of the spring slate with a home match against in-state rival Weber State finishing 5-2.
The Utes had a strong start as the team secured the first point of the match in doubles play. On court three, Geremia Rossi and Dylan Applegate took the upper hand against Weber State’s Matteo Savio and Tuan Minh in a 6-4 match. The point was decided on court two where Jayson Blando and Michael Blando took a decisive 7-5 win over Wildcats Jordan Coutinho and Connor Kruger. On court one, Geronimo Espin Busleiman and Bruno Krenn had an unfinished 5-6 match.
As the squad moved into singles play the Utes provided stellar performances. On court three J. Blando awarded the team with their second point as he downed Kruger in a 6-2, 6-2 match. Soon after, Gianluca Citadini added the third point to Utah’s score with an impressive 6-0, 7-6(7-3) competition against Weber State’s Savio. On courts four and six the Utes dropped matches awarding the Wildcats two match points.
The match was clinched on court two as Krenn took the victory against Marouani in a hard-fought 7-5, 7-5 finish. On court one, Espin Busleiman downed Sarap 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 awarding Utah with the last point.
UP NEXT
The Utes are set to compete at the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Austin, Texas next weekend. The first match will be against Oklahoma State on Friday, Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. MT and the second on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 12 p.m. MT.
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Fans can follow along during the 2024 season on social media (Twitter: @UtahTennis | Instagram: @UtahTennis | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahmenstennis).
UTAH 5, WSU 2
Singles (4,3,5,6,2,1)
1. Geronimo Espin Busleiman (UTAH) def. Tristan Sarap (WSU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
2. Bruno Krenn (UTAH) def. Elyes Marouani (WSU) 7-5, 7-5
3. Jayson Blando (UTAH) def. Connor Kruger (WSU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Jordan Coutinho (WSU) def. Dylan Applegate (UTAH) 6-1, 6-3
5. Gianluca Citadini (UTAH) def. Matteo Savio (WSU) 6-0, 7-6(7-3)
6. Tuan Minh (WSU) def. Michael Blando (UTAH) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
Doubles (3,2)
1. Geronimo Espin Busleiman/Bruno Krenn (UTAH) vs Elyes Marouani/Tristan Sarap (WSU) 5-6, unf.
2. Jayson Blando/Michael Blando (UTAH) def. Jordan Coutinho/Connor Kruger (WSU) 7-5
3. Geremia Rossi/Dylan Applegate (UTAH) def. Matteo Savio/Tuan Minh (WSU) 6-4