April 18, 2009
Results
NORMAL, Ill. -
Junior Xavier Riart-Ferrer defeated Southern Illinois in No. 6 singles Saturday, to pick up the sole point for the Illinois State men's tennis team in a, 6-1, loss to the Salukis at the Gregory Street Tennis Courts in Normal, Ill. Michael Hobson and Timon Reichelt also beat SIU in No. 2 doubles. This match marked the second home-loss this season for Illinois State, as its overall record dropped to 7-11 and 2-3 in the conference.
In singles, Riart-Ferrer claimed victory over Anton Leonenko, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, at the No. 6 position. Southern Illinois' Lucas Waked topped Skip Span in three sets at the No. 2 spot, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, while Reichelt lost 6-1, 6-7, 6-3, to Felipe Villasenor in No. 1 singles.
Hobson partnered with Reichelt at No. 2 doubles to defeat Waked and Leonenko, 8-3. At No. 1, Daniel Tobar and Span suffered a, 9-8, loss to Eric West and Villasenor, giving the Salukis the doubles' point. Filip Miljevic and Riart-Ferrer were defeated at the No. 3 spot, 8-6, by Sebastian Rubiana and Hugo Vidal.
"I was disappointed with the doubles' outcome," said head coach Cris James. "This was another match were we've been close in doubles. It puts a lot of pressure on the guys when we are down 1-0 heading into singles; especially when you have four three-set (singles) matches, like today, you can't expect to win each one. I am hoping we'll go into the match (Sunday) against Indiana State motivated to finish the season with a win before heading to the Valley tournament."
The men's tennis team will close out its regular-season Sunday, as it hosts Indiana State at the Gregory Streets Tennis Courts in Normal, Ill. First serve is set for 1 p.m., weather permitting.
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