Mercer Drops 5-2 Contest to Defending National Champions Virginia

Friday, February 23

Charlottesville, Va.

11 a.m.

Mercer University

Virginia

Mercer Drops 5-2 Contest to Defending National Champions Virginia

2/23/2018 3:45:00 PM | Men's Tennis

By: Will Tharp

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Mercer Bears' men's tennis team's seven match winning streak came to an end as they fell 5-2 to the three-time defending national champions, Virginia, Friday afternoon.

The Cavaliers jumped to an early 1-0 lead, winning the doubles competition. On court No. 3, Virginia's Matthew Lord and Ammar Alhaqbani defeated Carver Arant and Stathis Tsiranidis, 6-4. The Cavaliers clinched the doubles point as the Bears' top duo in Sam Philp and Olivier Stuart were beaten, 6-4, by Aswin Lizen and Gianni Ross. Play on court No. 3 was left unfinished.

The Bears continued to fight, forcing Virginia to twp three-setters, with the Bears winning both. The Cavs stretched to a 2-0 lead as No. 3 Lord bested Nico Guillon, 6-0, 6-3. The Bears No. 1 seeded Philp battled hard but was unable to overcome Ross, falling 7-6 (6), 6-1. Virginia clinched the match on court No. 2, as Mercer's Stuart fell to No. 18 nationally ranked Lizen, 7-5, 6-4. Mercer's No. 5 slotted Tsiranidis got the Bears on the board, battling back from a set down, to seize a thrilling, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, decision over Kyrylo Tsygura. Court No. 4 saw the Cavs' Alhaqbani down Fernando Guardia, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5). Once again the Bears showed resilience, as No. 6 Ruben Vanoppen dropped Jefferson Dockter, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.

Up Next
The Bears will return home to play host to Lipscomb this Sunday, Feb. 25 at the LeRoy Peddy Tennis Center. Play is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

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