Box Score ST. LOUIS – The Swarthmore College men's tennis team had its campaign come to an end on Sunday as
Michael Melnikov and
Utham Koduri were eliminated at the NCAA Individual Championships.
Melnikov began the day with a victory in his first-round singles match, as he came from behind for a three-set win (3-6, 6-3, 6-4) against Jared Phillips of Washington University in St. Louis. With the triumph, Melnikov earned All-America honors for the second straight year.
Melnikov's bid for a singles title came to an end in the Round of 16, however, as he was overcome by the tournament's number one seed, Bowdoin College's Tristan Bradley, in straight sets, 4-6, 3-6.
The day concluded with doubles action as Melnikov and Koduri, the 2023 national runners-up, looked to make another run in the tournament. However, it was not meant to be as the pair was defeated in their opening matchup in a tight three-setter (4-6, 6-3, 6-7 [5-7]) by Tyler Haddorff and Gage Gohl of Gustavus Adolphus College. Despite the loss, Melnikov and Koduri came away with their second consecutive All-America accolade due to being seeded fourth for the tourney.
HOW IT HAPPENED (SINGLES)
- Melnikov and Phillips were even at one in the opening set of their first-round bout. Phillips then won three straight games to take a 4-1 advantage. Melnikov was able to close the gap to two twice but Phillips was able to hold serve and win the first set, 6-3.
- The two players went back and forth to start the second set, splitting the first six games. Melnikov held serve to go up 4-3 then picked up a much-needed break to go ahead by two. Melnikov's serve held up again as he took the set, 6-3.
- Both competitors held serve for the first six games of the decisive set and it was even at 3-3. Melnikov then recorded a crucial break followed by a hold to take a 5-3 lead. Phillips bounced back to get within one but Melnikov closed out the match on serve, 6-4.
- In the second round, Melnikov faced the nation's top-ranked player in Bradley. Melnikov got off to a strong start, winning the first two games of the opening set. However, Bradley recovered to win the next two and tie it up at two apiece. The players were even at three when Melnikov held serve to go up one. Bradley then rallied to win the next three games and take the set, 6-4.
- Bradley carried the momentum into the second set, taking a 2-0 advantage. Melnikov cut the deficit to one on three occasions, but could not secure the break he needed to even the score. After Melnikov closed the gap to 4-3, Bradley took the next two games to secure the match, 6-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED (DOUBLES)
- The teams were even at one in the first set before Haddorff/Gohl broke serve then held their own to take a 3-1 lead. Melnikov/Koduri were unable to break back and the pairs traded games until Haddorff/Gohl claimed the set, 6-4.
- Melnikov/Koduri fought back in the second, getting out to an early 3-0 cushion. The Swarthmore duo held serve throughout the set and went on to win, 6-3, and force a decisive frame.
- Melnikov/Koduri dropped the first game in the third set but bounced back to win the next two. However, Haddorff/Gohl answered by doing the same before the Garnet pair held serve to even it up at three games apiece. Haddorff/Gohl earned another break and took a 5-3 advantage and were serving for the match. However, Melnikov and Koduri dug deep and rallied for a break, fending off two match points to stay alive.
- Melnikov/Koduri followed their match-saving break with a hold of serve to bring the match level at 5-5. Haddorff/Gohl went up 6-5 but Melnikov/Koduri held their serve again to force a tiebreak. Haddorff/Gohl won the first two points but Melnikov/Koduri responded with the next three to take the lead. Swarthmore had a 4-3 edge but Haddorff/Gohl rallied for three points in a row to bring up match point. Melnikov/Koduri got within one (6-5) but were unable to break the Haddorff/Gohl serve as the Gustavus Adolphus duo closed out the match.
