By Dylan Vazzano, Sports Information Coordinator
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Punch at the top and depth towards the bottom of the lineup helped push the Tennessee Tech tennis team to a 5-2 win over Charlotte in Sunday's neutral site tilt in Fort Myers. The win gave Tech (5-3) its first two-match win streak of the season in what was the first ever meeting with the 49ers (5-5).
Juniors Eduardo Mena and Marcos Bernardes helped paved the way during singles action, with the pair capturing wins at the top of Tech's rotation. Mena seized his second-straight singles nod with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Sam Rice in the No. 1 spot, while Bernardes outlasted Constandinos Christoforou in the No. 2 slot, following an early setback that saw Bernardes drop the first set 6-4. The Brasilia, Brazil native pulled through with a 6-1 set two win, before taking the third set, 7-5, to clinch the bout.
Guillermo Nicolas and Jorge Alfonzo helped the Golden Eagles take the match with wins towards the bottom of the lineup, needing only two sets each in their respective matchups. Nicolas took down Alejandro Garcia Moreno, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2), in the No. 4 position, and Alfonzo rolled past Oriol Puig Forne, 7-5, 6-2, in the No. 5 spot.
Charlotte's Leonardo Menezes knocked off Alberto Esteban, 6-4, 6-2, in the No. 3 slot, while Max Benaim defeated Carlos Tajoes, 3-6, 7-5, 6-0, in the No. 6 matchup.
The Golden Eagles set the tilt's tone by prevailing in doubles play with victories in two of the three bouts. Guillermo Nicolas and Marcos Bernardes teamed up for a 6-3 win over Max Beniam and Constandinos Christoforou in the No. 2 position, while the tandem of Jorge Alfonzo and Carlos Tajes knocked off Oriol Puig Forne and Alejandro Garcia Moreno in the No. 3 spot.
Sam Rice and Leonardo Menezes were responsible for Charlotte's lone win in doubles action, thanks to a 6-1 nod over Eduardo Mena and Alberto Esteban in the No. 1 slot.
Tech will prepare for a light week of action with only one match on the books, a Saturday tilt at Louisville. The contest is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
FULL RESULTS
Doubles
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1. Sam Rice/Leonardo Menezes (CHA) def. Eduardo Mena/Alberto Esteban (TENNTECH) 6-1 |
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2. Guillermo Nicolas/Marcos Bernardes (TENNTECH) def. Max Benaim/C. Christoforou (CHA) 6-3 |
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3. Jorge Alfonzo/Carlos Tajes (TENNTECH) def. Oriol Puig Forne/A. Garcia Moreno (CHA) 6-1 |
Singles
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1. Eduardo Mena (TENNTECH) def. Sam Rice (CHA) 6-1, 6-3 |
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2. Marcos Bernardes (TENNTECH) def. C. Christoforou (CHA) 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 |
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3. Leonardo Menezes (CHA) def. Alberto Esteban (TENNTECH) 6-4, 6-2 |
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4. Guillermo Nicolas (TENNTECH) def. A. Garcia Moreno (CHA) 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) |
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5. Jorge Alfonzo (TENNTECH) def. Oriol Puig Forne (CHA) 7-5, 6-2 |
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6. Max Benaim (CHA) def. Carlos Tajes (TENNTECH) 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 |
Photo by Jim Dillon
