NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt men’s tennis team opened up Super Bowl Sunday with a big match of their own, taking on the No. 32 Harvard Crimson Sunday afternoon.
Vanderbilt raced off to an early 3-1 lead, but were stuck searching for the fourth and final win as the Crimson came out victorious, 4-3.
“I think there were a lot of positives in that match,” said head coach Ian Duvenhage.
“It’s a really tough loss. It’s tough to go up 3-1 and then lose the remaining three matches, but we just have to go back to work and keep improving, keep positive and eliminate the negative.”
Vanderbilt fell on court three doubles, only to bounce back with a huge win at No. 2. While the ‘Dores lost a tight doubles point in 7-6(4) tiebreaker on one, Ryan Smith and Pen Binet played phenomenal tennis on court two to down No. 32 Beltrame/Tao; 7-5.
“I thought we did a great job at No 2 doubles. I told Ryan (Smith) and Pen (Binet) that that’s one of the best matches I’ve ever seen them play. I thought Ryan played basically flawless tennis. He served great, he returned great, he volleyed great.”
“I think we also did a good job at No. 1 doubles, we lost that not because we made mistakes, they just played really well in the backend of that tiebreaker.”
With the doubles point in possession of the Crimson, Vanderbilt raced out in singles to earn a quick 3-1 lead.
Freshman Cameron Klinger generated the first victory for Vandy to level the score to 1-1, as the Elk Grove, Calif. Native took down sophomore Kenny Tao in a decisive 6-2, 6-0 victory.
Daniel Valent pulled out a hard fought 6-4 first set, only to made quick work for the ‘Dores to give Vandy the lead; 6-4, 6-1. The victory over No. 71 Nicky Hu was the sophomores’ 46th win for the black and gold and 15th this season.
Vanderbilt senior Rhys Johnson garnered Vandy’s its third and final point of the night, as the Perth, Australia native took down Harvard’s Beltrame 6-4, 6-3.
The Crimson earned back-to-back wins on courts three and five, putting pressure on freshman Alex Ross on court six to pull out the second set to split. Dropping the first set 6-4 and down 1-3 in the second set of his first collegiate dual match, the La Grange, Ill. native fought for the Commodores to level the score to 4-all.
With a huge break on six, the freshman took the 5-4 lead for the first time all match, but the Crimson’s Lam broke back at set point.
Harvard took the 6-5 lead on deuce point, but Ross would force the second set tiebreaker with a huge ace at deuce point.
Ross fought hard and held his composure throughout the breaker, but ultimately fell; 6-4, 7-6(3).
“I thought Alex (Ross), even though he lost out there, I thought he handled himself so well. I’m really proud of him even though we lost.”
Vanderbilt will be back in action on Feb. 13th with doubleheader action against Duke at 12:00 and Tennessee State at 4:00 pm.
Results:
No. 32 Harvard 4, No. 27 Vanderbilt 3
Doubles:
1) No. 44 Nicky Hu/Brian Yeung (HU) def. Cameron Klinger/Rhys Johnson (VU); 7-6 (4)
2) Ryan Smith/Pen Binet (VU) def. No. 32 Sebastian Beltrame/Kenny Tao (HU); 7-5
3) Kelvin Lam/Conor Haughey (HU) def. Baker Newman/Daniel Valent (VU); 6-4
Finish: 3, 2, 1*
Singles:
1) No. 64 Daniel Valent (VU) def. #71 Nicky Hu (HU); 6-4, 6-1
2) Rhys Johnson (VU) def. Sebastian Beltrame (HU); 6-4, 6-3
3) Brian Yeung (HU) def. Baker Newman (VU); 6-3, 7-6(5)
4) Cameron Klinger (VU) def. Kenny Tao (HU); 6-2, 6-0
5) Andy Zhou (HU) def. Kris Yee (VU); 3-6, 7-5, 6-2
6) Kelvin Lam (HU) def. Alex Ross (VU); 6-4, 7-6(3)
Finish: 4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6*
