SDSU MEN'S TENNIS EDGED BY NEW MEXICO 4-3

Aztecs fall to 1-3 in MW dual matches

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Raul de la Torre was a double winner on Friday vs. New Mexico  Courtesy goaztecs.com

April 6, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego State was unable to build on an early lead against visiting New Mexico Friday, dropping a tough 4-3 decision in a Mountain West dual match at Aztec Tennis Center.

The Aztecs (3-18, 1-3 MW) claimed the doubles point for just the fourth time this season; however, the Lobos (12-8, 2-1 MW) escaped with the win after capturing four of six singles encounters, handing the Scarlet and Black its third straight setback in conference play.

The duo of Raul de la Torre and Jan Kirchhoff got things rolling for SDSU, opening with a gritty 6-4 triumph over the UNM pairing of Sean Baklini and Dominic West on the No. 2 court, while the newly minted combo of David Hough and Arnaud Restifo emerged victorious in their debut over Ricky Hernandez-Tong and Stepan Holis by an identical tally in the third position.

With a 1-0 advantage safely in the Aztecs’ pocket, the No. 1 match pitting Sander Gjoels-Andersen and Rafael Gonzalez Almazan against the Lobos’ Bart Van Leijsen/Jorge Escutia was halted, with the SDSU pairing in front 6-5.

Unfortunately, the Aztecs could not capitalize on their good fortune, as UNM quickly turned the tables with three straight wins to open the singles round.

First off the court was Ignacio Martinez, who suffered a 6-1, 6-1 setback to Van Leijsen in his first collegiate match in the No. 1 spot, while Kirchhoff fell victim to Holis by a 6-3, 6-2 tally on court No. 5. Moments later, Hernandez-Tong pinned a similar 6-2, 6-3 defeat on Restifo in the second position, giving the Lobos a 3-1 cushion.

SDSU soon followed with a pair of victories to tie the score at 3-3, as Gjoels-Andersen turned on the afterburners in a 7-5, 6-1 triumph over West and No. 3, while de la Torre Baklini outlasted Baklini in the sixth slot, 6-3, 7-5.

All eyes turned to the No. 4 court where Gonzalez Almazan tried to extend his match with Escutia to a third set but ultimately ran out of steam in the end, 7-6(6), 6-4.

UP NEXT

San Diego State closes out the home portion of its regular-season schedule on Sunday, April 8 when it plays host to Air Force at Aztec Tennis Center. First serve is set for noon.

New Mexico 4, San Diego State 3

April 6, 2018

San Diego, Calif.

Aztec Tennis Center

Doubles

1. Sander Gjoels-Andersen/Rafael Gonzalez Almazan (SDSU) vs. Bart Van Leijsen/Jorge Escutia (UNM), 6-5 DNF

2. Raul de la Torre/Jan Kirchhoff (SDSU) def. Sean Baklini/Dominic West (UNM), 6-4

3. David Hough/Arnaud Restifo (SDSU) def. Ricky Hernandez-Tong/Stepan Holis (UNM), 6-4

Order of finish: 2, 3

SDSU wins doubles point

Singles

1. Bart Van Leijsen (UNM) def. Ignacio Martinez (SDSU), 6-1, 6-1

2. Ricky Hernandez-Tong (UNM) def. Arnaud Restifo (SDSU), 6-2, 6-3

3. Sander Gjoels-Andersen (SDSU) def. Dominic West (UNM), 7-5, 6-1

4. Jorge Escutia (UNM) def. Rafael Gonzalez Almazan (SDSU), 7-6(6), 6-4

5. Stepan Holis (UNM) def. Jan Kirchhoff (SDSU), 6-3, 6-2

6. Raul de la Torre (SDSU) def. Sean Baklini (UNM), 6-3, 7-5

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

* Match-clinching victory