FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 16 Vanderbilt men’s tennis team opened up the 2015 SEC season by sweeping the Arkansas Razorbacks; 4-0. With the win, the Commodores extended their win streak to seven matches in a row. The `Dores improved their overall record to 10-2, and 1-0 in SEC play.
“I thought we did a really good job”, said head coach Ian Duvenhage. “They typically get up for us, and our guys were really ready to go from the get go, which is something we stressed. We wanted to have a good start with a good deal of intensity.”
The Commodores took the doubles point from Arkansas with wins on courts one and three. VU’s Suresh Eswaran and Daniel Valent brought in the first SEC win of the year with a 6-3 victory on court three. Success continued for No. 1 Gonzales Austin and Rhys Johnson and the pair improved to 8-0 with a 7-5 win over Munoz/Branch.
“Doubles was close, but we won at one and three, and we were on serve at No. 2. I’m particularly happy that we played solid doubles throughout the lineup. We’ve obviously won a number of doubles points this year, but it’s been rare where all team played solid… So that was a step in the right direction.”
In his SEC debut, Valent made quick work of his match on four defeating the Razorback’s William Albanese; 6-0, 6-4. The freshman now owns a 10-1 dual record and 21-5 overall record.
On court five senior Suresh Eswaran powered through his first set over Santiago Munoz; 6-2. Eswaran’s success continued on in the second set, as the Sacramento, Calif. native secured the Commodore’s third match point with a 6-4 victory.
Senior Gonzales Austin polished off the win for Vandy as he defeated Giammarco Micolani 6-4, 6-4. Austin is now just one win away from tying the Vanderbilt career singles win record at 99.
“In singles we came out with the same intensity and won all six of our first sets which is really important… I was very happy about that. The three guys that won matches for us were able to clinch it for us by winning in straight sets, and that’s really positive also. It’s not an easy place to play and I think all in all we did a great job. I was very happy with the team’s performance.”
With the win the Commodores travel to Oxford, Miss. for their second SEC road challenge. The No. 16 `Dores take on the No. 10 Rebels Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.
“I think that that’s a great opportunity for us. Most of the teams we’ve played this year, if not all of them, have been ranked behind us; so we get an opportunity to play someone that’s ranked ahead of us. Every team we’ve played we’ve been their opportunity, now Ole Miss is our opportunity and we’re up for it.”
Doubles:
1. Gonzales Austin/Rhys Johnson (VANDY) def. Santiago Munoz/Branch Terrell (ARK) 7-5
2. Pen Binet/Baker Newman (VANDY) vs. Johan den Toom/William Albanese (ARK); 5-5
3. Suresh Eswaran/Daniel Valent (VANDY) def. Jovan Parlic/Giammarco Micolani (ARK) 6-3
Singles:
1. Gonzales Austin (VANDY) def. Giammarco Micolani (ARK); 6-4, 6-4
2. Rhys Johnson (VANDY) vs. Jovan Parlic (ARK); 7-6 (9-7), 3-1 (VU won first set and led the second)
3. Kris Yee (VANDY) vs. Johan den Toom (ARK); 7-5, 3-4 (VU won first set and Ark. led the second)
4. Daniel Valent (VANDY) def. William Albanese (ARK) 6-2, 6-0
5. Suresh Eswaran (VANDY) def. Santiago Munoz (ARK) 6-2, 6-4
6. Baker Newman (VANDY) vs. David Herrerias (ARK) 6-2, 5-3 (VU won first set and led the second)
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (4,5,1)
