Box Score CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Michael Melnikov concluded his standout career for the Swarthmore College men's tennis team with a national runner-up finish on Tuesday at the NCAA Singles Championship.
Melnikov's quest for a national title came up just short as he fell to top-seeded Advik Mareedu of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges by a 3-6, 1-6 score. Mareedu claimed his second straight NCAA singles crown with the victory.
Melnikov was the first Garnet player to reach the national championship match since Swarthmore Hall of Famer Shep Davidson in 1985. He finishes his legendary tenure as a four-time singles All-American, a seven-time overall All-American, a four-time Centennial Conference Player of the Year, and the all-time leader in total wins, singles wins, doubles wins, and wins at No. 1 singles. Melnikov also leaves with the single-season marks for total wins and singles wins.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Melnikov fell behind 2-0 early in the opening set, suffering an early break from Mareedu. The Garnet senior seemed to gain momentum with a break of his own to get back on serve but Mareedu took deuce point to break right back then held his own serve for a 4-1 advantage. Melnikov cut the deficit to 4-2 and had a chance to get within one but Mareedu claimed another deuce point to hold. The next two games went the way of serve as well and Mareedu won the set 6-3.
- Melnikov looked to bounce back in the second set and jumped out to a 40-0 lead on serve in the first game. However, Mareedu rallied for four straight points and dealt the Swarthmore standout a back-breaking defeat. The CMS senior then held serve to go up 2-0. Melnikov won a decisive point to close the gap to 2-1 but Mareedu went on a 4-0 run to close the match. He earned another break on a deuce point to make it 4-1 and Melnikov was unable to stage a comeback.
