Men?s Tennis Rebounds Against Denver

BOISE, Idaho - In response to their first defeat of the season against Boise State on Friday, the Oregon men's tennis team (6-1, 0-0) rebounded by defeating the Denver Pioneers, 4-3.

Doubles play has played a very important role in the success of the Ducks this season. In each of Oregon's six wins, they claimed the doubles point. Tonight, doubles proved to be even more important, as the Ducks split the six singles matches, 3-3.

Thomas Bieri and Manuel Kost rallied after losing their first doubles match yesterday by taking down Nejc Smole and Viktor Zetterholm, 8-6. Sven Swinnen and Arron Spencer defeated Niko Popovic and Hans Peter Gaber, 8-6. The win gives the duo a perfect 6-0 doubles record. The lone loss of the day in doubles came by way of Steve Flaks and Urban Lubjic, who beat Markus Schiller and Eric Pickard, 8-3.

In singles, the Ducks pulled out what proved to be one of the most heated singles matches in recent memory. The Ducks singles teams had seven match-point chances while Denver had two.

"In my nine years of coaching, this was the most spirited and competitive match I have ever been a part of," said head coach Chris Russell."

Sven Swinnen was defeated for the first time this year, dropping a rigorous, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, match to Nejc Smole at the No. 1 position. Manuel Kost moved up the No. 2 spot, where he took down Hans Peter Gaber, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. Kost is a flawless 6-0 in dual singles this season.

Sophomore Thomas Bieri beat Viktor Zetterholm, 6-3, 6-3, while Arron Spencer defeated Urban Lubjic, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6.

Vlad Pino dropped a tough, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5, match to Niko Popovic in his first dual match action of the season. Jason Tan defeated Markus Schiller, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, for the Ducks third loss.

Oregon hits the road again this weekend when they travel down to Santa Barbara, Calif. to take on UC Santa Barbara (Fri., Feb. 20, 1:30 p.m.) and No. 22 Oklahoma State (Sat., Feb. 21, 1 p.m.).

Oregon 4, Denver 3

Boise, Idaho

Singles

1. Nejc Smole (DU) def. Sven Swinnen (UO) 6-7, 7-6, 7-6

2. Manuel Kost (UO) def. Hans Peter Gaber (DU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

3. Thomas Bieri (UO) def. Viktor Zetterholm (DU) 6-3, 6-3

4. Jason Tan (DU) def. Markus Schiller (UO) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

5. Arron Spencer (UO) def. Urban Lubjic (DU) 4-6, 7-6, 7-6

6. Niko Popovic (DU) def. Vladimir Pino (UO) 7-6, 2-6, 7-5

Doubles

1. Beiri/Kost (UO) def. Smole/Zetterholm (DU) 8-6

2. Swinnen/Spencer (UO) def. Popovic/Gaber (DU) 8-6