March 9, 2012
AUBURN - The No. 27 Auburn men's tennis team captured its first conference win of the season on a chilly Friday afternoon against No. 36 Arkansas, 5-2, at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
"I thought we got lucky to win that doubles point," Auburn head coach Eric Shore said. "It wasn't looking so good. We talked about some things that we have to get better with when we are down. We have to battle. We have to be mentally tough. We pulled it out, and we got off to a good start in singles in a lot of spots."
In doubles, the Tigers (11-4, 1-2 SEC) won its first doubles point in six matches after capturing victories on all three courts. The No. 16-ranked duo of Alex Stamchev and Andreas Mies made quick work of Hall Fess and Matt Walters, 8-1, on court one. On court three, Lucas Lopasso and Rafael Rondino battled back from down 6-2 to clinch the doubles point by defeating Nikolas Zogaj and Gregoire Lehmann, 9-7. Daniel Cochrane and Lukas Ollert closed out doubles with an 8-7 (5) victory over Mike Nott and Manfred Jeske on court two.
"It helps to win the doubles point, but this team feels like they are good in singles," Shore said. "It is nice to get it once in a while. We know we can get better."
In singles, No. 20 Mies toppled Lehmann in quick fashion, 6-1, 6-0 on court one. Cochrane then gave the Tigers a 3-0 advantage after his victory over Zogaj, 6-1, 6-0, on court three.
Stamchev clinched the match for Auburn about a minute later, moving to 3-0 in SEC play by defeating Walters 6-2, 6-2 on court two. Michael Wardell moved his winning streak to five straight matches, 2-0 in league play, after topping Nott on court six, 6-2, 6-1, to give the Tigers a 5-0 advantage in the team scoring.
The Razorbacks picked up a win on court four after Jeske upset No. 118 Ollert, 7-5, 6-1. On court five, Mike Ward edged out Lopasso to finish the match, 7-5, 7-6 (4).
"We have a big match on Sunday," Shore said of the Tigers' upcoming tilt with LSU. "We split with them last year, and I know it is going to be tough. And the guys know it will be tough, but we will be ready."
The Tigers will return to action on Sunday against No. 25 LSU at 1 p.m. at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. Admission is free.
Auburn Men's Tennis Results
March 9, 2012
Yarbrough Tennis Center - Auburn, Ala.
#27 Auburn 5, #36 Arkansas 2
Singles
1. #20 Andreas Mies (AU) def. Gregoire Lehmann (ARK), 6-1, 6-0
2. Alex Stamchev (AU) def. Matt Walters (ARK), 6-2, 6-2
3. Daniel Cochrane (AU) def. Nikolas Zogaj (ARK), 6-1, 6-0
4. Manfred Jeske (ARK) def. #118 Lukas Ollert (AU), 7-5, 6-1
5. Mike Ward (ARK) def. Lucas Lopasso (AU), 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)
6. Michael Wardell (AU) def. Michael Nott (ARK), 6-2, 6-1
Order of finish: 1,3,2,6,4,5
Doubles
1. #16 Alex Stamchev/Andreas Mies (AU) def. Hall Fess/Matt Walters (ARK), 8-1
2. Lukas Ollert/Daniel Cochrane (AU) def. Manfred Jeske/Michael Nott (ARK), 8-7 (7-5)
3. Lucas Lopasso/Rafael Rondino (AU) def. Gregoire Lehmann/Nikolas Zogaj (ARK), 9-7
Order of finish: 1,3,2
Match Notes
Arkansas 9-4 (1-2 SEC), National ranking #36
Auburn 11-4 (1-2 SEC), National ranking #27