SDSU MEN'S TENNIS FALLS TO OREGON 6-1

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Arnaud Restifo was victorious at No. 2 singles vs. Oregon.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

February 17, 2018 (Las Vegas) - The San Diego State men’s tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision to Oregon Saturday in a neutral-site dual match at Fertita Tennis Complex on the campus of UNLV.

The Aztecs (1-7) posted an upset at No. 2 doubles after the tandem of Santiago Cevallos and Rafael Gonzalez Almazan emerged with a 6-4 triumph over the duo of Simon Stevens and Ty Gentry, who were ranked 37th in the nation entering the day.

However, SDSU could not duplicate that success in the other two encounters, as the pairing of Joel Popov and Arnaud Restifo were dismissed by 17th-ranked Thomas Laurent and Cormac Clissold in the No. 3 position, 6-3, while team of Sander Gjoels-Andersen and Nicholas Mitchell experienced a similar outcome, suffering a 6-4 setback to Armando Soemarno and Charles Roberts on the No. 1 court.

Unlike Friday’s comeback victory over UNLV, the Aztecs were unable to mount a serious threat in singles play, falling short in five of six matches with the Ducks (6-2).

SDSU’s lone highlight was provided by Restifo, who extended his winning streak to three straight with a 6-4, 6-3 conquest of Stevens in the No. 2 spot.

Elsewhere, Cevallos was matched up against a ranked opponent for the second time on the afternoon, but experienced a 6-0, 6-3 defeat at the hands of No. 12 Laurent at the top of the ladder.

In addition, Gonzalez Almazan captured the opening set of his encounter with Riki Oshima in the fifth position, but ran out of steam before losing in a super-tiebreaker, 7-6(3), 1-6, 11-9.

The remaining three matches were straight-set affairs, including the Popov’s battle with Clissold on court No. 4, which resulted in a 6-2, 6-4 setback, while Jan Kirchhoff suffered an identical fate against Gentry in the sixth spot. Gjoels-Andersen also finished on a sour note after falling to Akihiro Tanaka in the third position, 6-0, 6-3.

Up Next

The Aztecs return to action on Friday, Feb. 23 when they take on crosstown adversary San Diego starting at 2 p.m. on USD’s West Courts.

Oregon 6, San Diego State 1

February 17, 2018

Las Vegas, Nev.

Fertita Tennis Complex

Doubles

1. Armando Soemarno/Charles Roberts (UO) def. Sander Gjoels-Andersen/Nicholas Mitchell (SDSU), 6-4

2. Santiago Cevallos/Rafael Gonzalez Almazan (SDSU) def. #37 Simon Stevens/Ty Gentry (UO), 6-4

3. #17 Thomas Laurent/Cormac Clissold (UO) def. Joel Popov/Arnaud Restifo (SDSU), 6-3

Order of finish: 2, 3, 1

Oregon wins doubles point

Singles

1. #12 Thomas Laurent (UO) def. Santiago Cevallos (SDSU), 6-0, 6-3

2. Arnaud Restifo (SDSU) def. Simon Stevens (UO), 6-4, 6-3

3. Akihiro Tanaka (UO) def. Sander Gjoels-Andersen (SDSU), 6-0, 6-3

4. Cormac Clissold (UO) def. Joel Popov (SDSU), 6-2, 6-4

5. Riki Oshima (UO) def. Rafael Gonzalez Almazan (SDSU), 7-6(3), 1-6, 11-9

6. Ty Gentry (UO) def. Jan Kirchhoff (SDSU) 6-2, 6-4

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

* Match-clinching victory

Records: SDSU (1-7, 1-0 MW), Oregon (6-2, 0-0 Pac-12)