University of Oregon
San Diego State
Ducks Grind Out Win Over #49 Aztecs, 4-3
02/24/07 | Men's Tennis
SEATTLE, Wash. -- On a two game skid already, things were not looking up for the Oregon men's tennis team after dropping the doubles point, and losing their top player, Saturday afternoon at the Nordstrom Tennis Center in Seattle. Six singles matches later, however, Oregon had posted a gritty 4-3 victory over the 49th ranked San Diego State Aztecs.
The beginning of the match saw San Diego State dominate Oregon in doubles, winning all three matches. The top pairing of Geoff Embry and Alexander Cornelissen fell 8-4 to Christian Groh and Anthony Gomez, and Markus Dickhart and Juan Gomez defeated Fransisco Gallardo and Stephen Weichert. Oregon was forced to retire in the No. 2 pairing, as Marcos Verdasco went down with an abdominal injury, giving San Diego State a clean sweep for the doubles point.
Singles was a different story. Replacing the injured Verdasco, Alexander Cornelissen picked up a huge singles victory at the No. 1 spot for Oregon, 6-2, 6-4 over Christian Groh. Ric Mortera picked up a close 7-6(8), 6-4 victory over Anthony Gomez, Fransisco Gallardo dominated Robert Sabo 6-1, 6-3, Gustavo Loza also won easily, 6-1, 6-1, over Michael Beron, and just like that Oregon had posted a come from behind 4-3 victory.
"I was really pleased at how the team bounced back after our top player went down and we got swept in the doubles matches," director of tennis Nils Schyllander said. “We faced a lot of adversity and this team really came together today for a great victory.”
With the win, Oregon improves to 8-4 on the season. After starting the season 2-0, San Diego State has now lost their last four matches, dropping their overall record to 2-4.
Filling in at the No. 2 spot for Cornelissen, Mike Myrhead fell 6-1, 6-4. Geoff Embry, in the tightest single match of the afternoon, lost 6-3, 6-7 (7), 7-5.
Oregon will look to continue its winning ways Mar. 3, in Boise, Idaho, against Utah.
Oregon 4, San Diego State 3 (Feb. 24 at Seattle, Wash.)
Doubles:
No. 1: Groh/A. Gomez (SDSU) def. Embry/Cornelissen (UO), 8-4
No. 2: Sabo/Timu (SDSU) def. Verdasco/Mortera (UO), 4-2 (ret.)
No. 3: Dickhart/J. Gomez (SDSU) def. Gallardo/Wiechert (UO), 8-5
Singles:
No. 1: Cornelissen (UO) def. Groh (SDSU), 6-2, 6-4
No. 2: Dickhart (SDSU) def. Myrhed (UO), 6-1, 6-4
No. 3: Mortera (UO) def. A. Gomez, 7-6 (8), 6-4
No. 4: J. Gomez (SDSU) def. Embry (UO), 6-3, 6-7 (7), 7-5
No. 5: Gallardo (UO) def. Sabo (SDSU), 6-1, 6-3
No. 6: Loza (UO) def. Beron (SDSU), 6-1, 6-1
Players Mentioned
