CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Illinois State men's tennis team celebrated on the first day of its Tennessee road trip with a 6-1 win over Austin Peay Friday afternoon at the Governors Tennis Center.
"Today wasn't our best tennis. We got a slow start in doubles despite taking the point, but the guys elevated their game in singles, and we took care of business," head coach Mark Klysner said. "Now, we have a quick turnaround before playing two matches tomorrow in Nashville."
The Governors earned a victory at the No. 1 doubles spot to begin the match, but the Redbirds battled back with wins in the final two doubles matches to earn the doubles point. Diego Le Gal Perez and Melker Isaakson came back with a win against Andersson Gold and Anton Damberg 7-5 and then Jorge Adair Bartra Quispe and Pol Botifoll Rius defeated Thiago Nogueira and Oliver Andersson 7-6 (6-4) to take the early advantage in the match.
Jorge Adair Bartra Quispe won his match at the No. 3 spot to give the Redbirds a quick 2-0 lead, but a win by Austin Peay's Christian Edison at the No. 1 spot over Diego Le Gal Perez narrowed the ISU lead. However, the Redbirds won the remaining four singles matches to run away with the 6-1 victory. Newcomer Melker Isaakson remains undefeated in singles action this spring, as he fought hard against Oliver Andersson (3-6, 6-1, 6-1) to pick up a victory at the No. 4 spot.
The Redbirds will continue play tomorrow against Tennessee State (10 a.m.) and Belmont (3 p.m.) in Nashville, Tennessee.
Illinois State 6, Austin Peay 1
Singles Results:
Christian Edison (APSU) def. Diego Le Gal Perez (ISU) 7-5, 6-3
Pol Botifoll Rius (ISU) def. Anton Damberg (APSU) 6-3, 6-4
Jorge Adair Bartra Quispe (ISU) def. Julius Gold (AP) 6-1, 6-1
Melker Isaakson (ISU) def. Oliver Andersson (APSU) 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
Nam Pham (ISU) def. Jacob Lorino (APSU) 7-6 (6-3), 6-1
Aleksa Lazarevic (ISU) def. Hunter Sanders (APSU) 8-3
Doubles Results:
Jacob Lorino/Christian Edison (APSU) def. Diego Emilio Moura Herrera/Aleksa Lazarevic (ISU) 6-3
Diego Le Gal Perez/Melker Isaakson (ISU) def. Andersson Gold/Anton Damberg (APSU) 7-5
Jorge Adair Bartra Quispe/Pol Botifoll Rius (ISU) def. Thiago Nogueira/Oliver Andersson (APSU) 7-6 (6-4)
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