ST. PETER, Minn. – The No. 9 Swarthmore College men's tennis team lost its quarterfinal matchup to No. 4 Case Western Reserve University, 4-3, at the ITA Indoor National Championship on Friday. The Garnet are seeded sixth while the Spartans are the third seed for the tournament at Gustavus Adolphus College.
 
Swarthmore got off to a good start, taking two of the three doubles matches for a 1-0 lead. Michael Melnikov won in straight sets at first singles to put the Garnet up two but CWRU rallied for four consecutive victories to win the match.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Max Lindstrom and Rishi Verma made quick work of their opponents at third doubles, cruising to a 6-1 win to begin the match. Utham Koduri and Melnikov then came out on top at first doubles, 6-3, to earn the point for Swarthmore. Kai Chen and Max Pogorelov battled at second doubles but ultimately fell by a 6-2 score.
 
- Melnikov continued his strong play from doubles and secured a 6-4, 6-3 triumph at first singles to give the Garnet a 2-0 advantage.
 
- Lalith Suresh came up short at the fourth position, 3-6, 2-6, and the Spartans got on the board. Dylan Hayes Gilbert was defeated in straight sets, 3-6, 3-6, at sixth singles as CWRU pulled the match even at two apiece.
 
- Verma fought hard at third singles but dropped a 4-6, 5-7 decision as the Spartans pulled into the lead. CWRU then clinched the match with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Aamish Pal at the fifth spot.
 
- Lindstrom ended the match on a good note for Swarthmore at second singles. He took the opening set, 6-3, but his opponent came back to even the bout with a 6-3 win in the second frame. Lindstrom then gutted out a 6-4 victory in the decisive third set.
 
UP NEXT
The Garnet (0-1) begin consolation play on Saturday against No. 11 Trinity University (Texas), who is seeded seventh.