NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the second time in less than a week Ryan Lipman and Gonzales Austin will play for a doubles championship. The duo advanced to Sunday’s finals by knocking off LSU in the quarterfinals and South Carolina in the semifinals.
Lipman and Austin are the only two remaining for the Vanderbilt men’s tennis team, as both Austin and Suresh Eswaran fell in their singles matches earlier in the day.
The doubles team started the day indoors in a matchup with Chris Simpson and Boris Arias of LSU. Vandy got out to a quick start, winning the first three games, but LSU was able come back and force a tie-break. Once the tie-break begin Lipman and Austin took over, quickly getting ahead 5-0. LSU would win a few more points but the ‘Dores were able to put it away and take the match 8-7 (2).
After doubles, Austin took the court again in a quarterfinal matchup with Austin Smith of Georgia. The two played a very high-energy physical match, however, Smith was able to prevail. He held off Austin in two tie-breaks, winning the match 7-6(3), 7-6(2).
Eswaran was matched up with Thiago Pinheiro of South Carolina in the round of 16 in the consolation draw. Pinheiro took the opening set quickly 6-1, but Eswaran fought back and won the second set 7-5. The two played a tie-breaker third set, with Pinheiro gaining the upper-hand ultimately winning the match 10-2.
Following the singles play, the doubles teams took to the hard court again to determine who will matchup in Sunday’s finals. Lipman and Austin took on Kyle Koch and Chip Cox of South Carolina. The two teams battled back and forth forcing a tie-break. Vandy was then able to take control and take the match 8-7 (6). Lipman and Austin will take on Stropp and Angus of Mississippi State tomorrow morning at 10:30.
Friday Results
Singles – Quarterfinals
Austin Smith (UGA) def. Gonzales Austin: 7-6(3), 7-6(2)
Consolation – Third Round
Thiago Pinheiro (USC) def. Suresh Eswaran: 6-1, 5-7, 10-2
Doubles – Quarterfinals
Lipman/Austin (VU) def. Simpson/Arias (LSU): 8-7(2)
Doubles – Semifinals
Lipman/Austin (VU) def. Koch/Cox (USC): 8-7(6)
