University of Oregon
Gonzaga
No. 69 Ducks Edge Gonzaga, 5-2
02/19/12 | Men's Tennis
EUGENE, Ore. - The No. 69 University of Oregon men's tennis team wrapped up their three-match weekend series by defeating Gonzaga University, 5-2. The win concluded a 3-0 weekend for the Ducks who are now 8-0 this spring.
"I think we started off the dual really well," said men's head coach Nils Schyllander. "We came out firing in the doubles and carried it over to the singles. Overall, we played a solid match. We're going to enjoy a few days off and need to get right back into it for Washington on the 24th."
The Ducks have received a wealth of solidifying performances all season, none more apparent than freshman Daniel Sardu's day today. The Sopron, Hungary native teamed with redshirt senior Douglas Mayeda to down the Bulldog's Muzeen Ismath and Alvaro Nazal 8-2 to open the dual for the Ducks. In singles, Sardu's No. 4 singles match victory Olivier Jamin 6-4, 6-3 came at a critical juncture where a loss or third set would have swung momentum dramatically towards Gonzaga.
"It was good to see Daniel, as a freshman, clinch a couple of duals," remarked coach Schyllander. "I think he took a big step forward and it's going to be fun to follow him the rest of the season."
Sardu improves to 7-0 in singles in what has been an impressive first collegiate season thus far.
Junior Jeff Mullen returned to the singles lineup after being limited to doubles action on Friday (Feb. 17) due to back tightness winning his No.3 singles match 6-2, 6-4 over Gonzaga's Vladimir Mijatovic.
Sophomore Alex Rovello had his most challenging match to date at No. 1 singles. Gonzaga's Nazal handled most of everything Rovello threw at him sustaining rallies that typically favor Rovello. The Portland, Ore. native won in two sets but not before being tested and pushed to 10-point tiebreaker 7-5, 7-6. Rovello improves to 8-0 this spring.
The Oregon men return to the courts on Friday (Feb. 24) at 5 p.m. when they welcome the University of Washington Huskies (6-2) to the Student Tennis Center. The match marks the first Pac-12 dual for both schools as well as the first of two meetings between the Huskies and Ducks.
Players Mentioned
