SAINT PETER, Minn. – No. 20 Gustavus men’s tennis had an uphill battle Friday night at the Swanson Tennis Center being matched up against the defending national champion Emory and suffered a 7-2 loss to open the ITA Division III National Team Indoor Championship. The Gusties drop to 3-1 while the Eagles improve to 2-0. Gustavus will face Washington University at 7 p.m. Saturday in the consolation semifinals. Emory advances to take on Brandeis University in the semifinals at noon Saturday.
In the other three opening round matchups, Chicago defeated Kenyon 5-4, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps topped Case Western Reserve 6-3, and Brandeis beat WashU 7-2.
“The guys competed extremely well tonight,” Head Coach Tommy Valentini said. “It was an electric atmosphere all night – especially in the doubles. It was a special match to be a part of, and I thought our guys handled the moment very well.
Singles
1. Hayden Cassone (EU) def. Yassine Derbani (GACM) 6-3, 7-6
2. Antonio Mora (EU) def. Nick Aney (GACM) 7-5, 6-2
3. Andrew Esses (EU) def. Indraneel Raut (GACM) 6-2, 6-4
4. Mark Sverdlov (EU) def. Michael O’Neil (GACM) 6-2, 6-4
5. Rex Serituk (EU) def. Daniel Fouchier (GACM) 6-2, 6-1
6. Oscar Wikstrom (GACM) def. Hassan Kenawi (EU) 1-6, 6-4, 7-5
Doubles
1. Hayden Cassone/Antonio Mora (EU) def. Yassine Derbani/Nick Aney (GACM) 8-4
2. Michael O’Neil/Daniel Fouchier (GACM) def. Will Wanner/Mark Sverdlov (EU) 8-3
3. Andrew Esses/Hassan Kenawi (EU) def. Xavier Sanga/Alex Budde (GACM) 8-4