CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Vanderbilt men’s tennis program opened its 2023-24 campaign against the two-time defending NCAA champions Virginia Cavaliers at the Orange and Blue Classic on Friday.
Fifth-year senior Joubert Klopper led the Commodores after winning in both singles and doubles. He defeated Mans Dahlberg in straight sets and partnered with Connor Robb-Wilcox to defeat Dahlberg and Douglas Yaffa.
The Commodores played several close matches against the Cavaliers, the former team of new Vandy head coach Scott Brown. Vanderbilt’s Michael Ross lost a third-set tiebreak 9-7 to Dylan Dietrich, who is ranked No. 2 nationally on the ITA freshman/newcomer list.
Robb-Wilcox rebounded after losing the first set in a tiebreak to win the second set 6-1 before dropping the third set. Nathan Cox also extended his opponent to three sets. Dores Michael Ross and Juan Lopez fell in a tiebreak to UVA’s Alexander Kiefer and James Hopper, who are both nationally ranked in doubles with other partners.
Vanderbilt faces Virginia Tech Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. Matches can be streamed here.
Friday Results:
Singles
Douglas Yaffa (UVA) def. Connor Robb-Wilcox (Vanderbilt) 7-6 (8-6), 1-6, 6-3
Dylan Dietrich (UVA) v Michael Ross (Vanderbilt) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7)
Joubert Klopper (Vanderbilt) def. Mans Dahlberg (UVA) 6-4, 6-3
Alexander Kiefer (UVA) def. Nathan Cox (Vanderbilt) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
#101 Edoardo Graziani (UVA) def. Jeremie Casabon (Vanderbilt) 7-5, 6-2
James Hopper (UVA) def. Juan Lopez (Vanderbilt) 6-1, 7-6 (8-6)
Stefan Regalia (UVA) def. Paul Wang (Vanderbilt) 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
#21 Chris Rodesch/Edoardo Graziani (UVA) def. #40 Nathan Cox/Jeremie Casabon (Vanderbilt) 8-5
Alexander Kiefer/James Hopper(UVA) def. Michael Ross/Juan Lopez (Vanderbilt) 8-7(7-0)
Joubert Klopper/Connor Robb-Wilcox (Vanderbilt) def. Douglas Yaffa/Mans Dahlberg (UVA) 8-6