George Washington University
Middle Tennessee State
Men's Tennis Edged at Middle Tennessee
1/28/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The George Washington men's tennis team battled but could not complete a comeback at Middle Tennessee State, falling 4-3 on Saturday afternoon to close a stretch of five consecutive road matches.
Junior Chris Fletcher claimed his first singles win over a ranked opponent to help the Colonials (3-2) mount a resurgence from a 3-0 deficit to tie the match at 3-3, but the Blue Raiders (3-2) won the final singles bout to take the victory.
"Incredible effort from our boys today in an epic match," said head coach David Macpherson. "They rallied from 3-0 and a match point against us to almost steal a win against a very good Middle Tennessee team."
Middle Tennessee took an early lead after claiming the top two doubles spots for a 1-0 advantage.
In singles action, the Blue Raiders took close, straight-set matches at the Nos. 4 and 1 positions to jump out to a 3-0 lead, but the Colonials quickly took the momentum as junior Christos Hadjigeorgiou came from behind to win his fifth-flight battle, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).
Freshman Jakub Behun also overcame a first set deficit, fighting off a Middle Tennessee match point to come away with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) triumph and put GW within one at 3-2.
Fletcher then staged an upset of No. 113 Luis Marillo Diaz at the No. 3 position, going the distance for a 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 victory to knot the match at 3-3.
Junior Chris Reynolds was edged in a marathon battle in second-flight play, sending the final two sets into tiebreakers before Middle Tennesee clinched the match, 4-3, with a 4-7, 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (7-3) win.
"The quality of tennis was excellent," said Macpherson. "I'm very pleased and proud of them all this weekend."
The Colonials return to the court on Thursday for the squad's home indoor opener when Morgan State visits the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center.
Middle Tennessee 4, GW 3
Doubles
1. Morell/Moonen (MT) def. Sala/Hadjigeorgiou (GW) 6-1
2. Issa/Negre (MT) def. Reynolds/Tverijonas (GW) 6-2
3. Rauch/Morillo Diaz (MT) vs. Fletcher/Behun (GW) 4-4, unfinished
Singles
1. Gonzalo Morell (MT) def. Julius Tverijonas (GW) 7-5, 6-3
2. Tom Moonen (MT) def. Chris Reynolds (GW) 5-7, 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (7-3)
3. Chris Fletcher (GW) def. #113 Luis Morillo Diaz (MT) 6-4, 2-6, 7-5
4. Miguel Negre (MT) def. William Tutecky (GW) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
5. Christos Hadjigeorgiou (GW) def. Max Rauch (MT) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
6. Jakub Behun (GW) def. Gian Issa (MT) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
Players Mentioned
