SAN ANTONIO, TX - The No. 9 Swarthmore College men's tennis team picked up another nationally-ranked victory in its spring break opener at Trinity University, 5-2, on Tuesday afternoon. The victory marked the team's third triumph over a top-25 opponent.
Despite dropping a rare doubles point to the Tigers, the Garnet bounced back with a dominant showing in singles action. Swarthmore took five of the six singles matches with Rishi Verma clinching the match at No. 4 singles.
HOW IT HAPPENED
DOUBLES
- The Garnet surrendered the doubles point to the Tigers after dropping two of three matches.
Utham Koduri/
Michael Melnikov fell 6-1 in top doubles, while
Max Lindstrom/
Winston Zhang dropped an intense 7-6 battle at third doubles.
- Kai Chen/ Andres Fente fought hard for a victory at No. 2 doubles. The Garnet duo prevailed with a 6-4 decision, but the Garnet were unable to come back and steal the doubles point.
SINGLES
- Melnikov bounced back at top singles action with a two-set victory. The senior took the opening set 6-3, before winning the match with a 6-2 victory in the second set.
- Max Lindstrom triumphed at No. 2 singles to claim another point for his team. The senior edged out his opponent with a 7-6 decision in the opening set and sealed victory with a 6-2 win in the second set.
- After the Tigers tied the team score with a victory at No. 5 singles, Seth Sadikov got the Garnet back on track with a gritty three-set win at No. 6 singles. The sophomore took the opening set 6-4, but dropped the second set 6-1. Sadikov then grinded out a clutch victory with a 6-3 decision.
- Verma secured the match-clinching win at No. 4 singles for the Garnet. After dropping the opening set in a 7-6 barnburner, Verma rallied with 6-4 and 6-2 victories to complete the comeback.
- Nikola Galov gutted out a tough victory at No. 3 singles. The rookie outlasted his opponent in the opening set, 7-6. He then sealed victory with a 7-5 decision to close the match in two sets.
UP NEXT
The Garnet (4-3) continue their Texas road trip against No. 15 WashU and Mary Hardin-Baylor, tomorrow.
