Mercer University
Clemson
Men's Tennis Opens Season With Win Over No. 64 Clemson
1/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Mercer University men's tennis team defeated No. 64 Clemson to close out the opening day of the season on a high note. After dropping the first match, the Bears fought hard for a 4-3 victory in the second match, marking the first-ever win over an ACC team in Mercer history.
"It was a tremendous effort by the guys today after losing the first match, 4-0. It was a huge win for the program.," said Head Coach Eric Hayes. "Ruben (Vanoppen) did a tremendous job keeping his composure in the deciding match. We'll feel good for a couple of hours driving to Knoxville, but we need to come out with the same intensity against Southern Illinois tomorrow afternoon."
In the second match, Mercer won the doubles point as the pairings of Sam Philp and Ruben Vanoppen as well as Arnav Mohanty and Arsav Mohanty picked up 6-1 and 6-4 victories, respectively.
A Clemson win at flight one tied the score a 1-1, but Nicolas Guillon defeated Austin Ansari (6-1, 6-4) to put Mercer back up, 2-1. Clemson knotted the score again, 2-2, with a win at the number 2 spot. Anderson Scarpa picked up a 6-4, 6-4 win over Christian Harris to give Mercer another advantage, 3-2, before the Tigers tied the match for a third time, 3-3, with a win at flight 6.
Ruben Vanoppen dropped his first set 2-6, but won his second, 6-4, to force a third set with Warner Robins native, Jess Jones. Vanoppen clinched the match for the Bears with his 6-4 victory in the third set.
Coach Hayes is familiar with Clemson, having served one season as the assistant men's coach at Clemson in 1986. The Tigers were ranked as high as No. 2 in the country that season, winning the 1987 ACC championship and ending the year ranked 14th in the final ITA poll.
The Bears will continue their opening weekend of play against Southern Illinois on Sunday, Jan. 17 in Knoxville, Tenn.
No. 64 Clemson 4, Mercer 0
Jan 16, 2016 | 1 p.m. | Charlotte, N.C. | Charlotte Indoor Tennis Club
Singles
1. Luke Johnson (CU) vs. Sam Philp (MER) 6-4, 2-6, 1-2, unfinished
2. Alex Favrot (CU) def. Nicolas Guillon (MER) 6-3, 6-3
3. Daffra Sanon (CU) vs. Arnav Mohanty (MER) 2-6, 4-4, unfinished
4. Christian Harris (CU) vs. Anderson Scarpa (MER) 5-7, 3-1, unfinished
5. Arturo Pinazo (CU) def. Arsav Mohanty (MER) 6-3, 6-2
6. Robert Dudley (CU) def. Fernando Guardia (MER) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles
1. Luke Johnson/Robert Dudley (CU) def. Arnav Mohanty/Arsav Mohanty (MER) 6-1
2. Alex Favrot/Daffra Sanon (CU) def. Nicolas Guillon/Anderson Scarpa (MER) 6-4
3. Jess Jones/Austin Ansari (CU) def. Sam Philp/Ruben Vanoppen (MER) 6-4
Match Notes:
Mercer 0-1
Clemson 1-0; National ranking #64
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (5,6,2)
Mercer 4, No. 64 Clemson 3
Jan 16, 2016 | 1 p.m. | Charlotte, N.C. | Charlotte Indoor Tennis Club
Singles
1. Luke Johnson (CU) def. Sam Philp (MER) 6-4, 6-0
2. Alex Favrot (CU) def. Arnav Mohanty (MER) 6-1, 7-5
3. Nicolas Guillon (MER) def. Austin Ansari (CU) 6-1, 6-4
4. Anderson Scarpa (MER) def. Christian Harris (CU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Ruben Vanoppen (MER) def. Jess Jones (CU) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
6. Brent Lett (CU) def. Zacharie El Ayat (MER) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles
1. Arnav Mohanty/Arsav Mohanty (MER) def. Daffra Sanon/Alex Favrot (CU) 6-4
2. Christian Harris/Jess Jones (CU) def. Nicolas Guillon/Anderson Scarpa (MER) 6-1
3. Sam Philp/Ruben Vanoppen (MER) def. Luke Johnson/Ryan McMullan (CU) 6-1
Match Notes:
Mercer 1-1
Clemson 1-1; National ranking #64
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (1,3,2,4,6,5)
Players Mentioned
