The Elon University men’s tennis team took a break from the rigorous Southern Conference schedule by hosting USC Upstate on Saturday afternoon, March 9. However, the break was hardly enjoyable as the Phoenix were defeated 4-3.
The Phoenix got off to a shaky start as juniors Yvon Haessig and Gozalo Blanco defeated junior Cameron Silverman and sophomore Stefan Fortmann at No. 1 doubles. Sophomore Brian Kowalski and freshman Robert Lindgren beat juniors Matthias Kidler and Viktor Selander 8-2 at No. 2 doubles. Sophomores Juan Madrid and Jordan Kaufam sealed the doubles point for the Phoenix by defeating junior Jacob Darling and freshman Jamie Yates 8-4 in No. 3 singles.
Silverman, who entered the match ranked No. 26 in singles, lost his No. 1 singles match to Kidler in a 3-set battle, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5.
Fortmann was just one of two Phoenix players to win as he defeated Haessig in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 in No. 2 singles.
Kauafman outlasted freshman Ramon SImonetti at No. 4 singles, winning 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 7-5.
At No. 6 singles, Madrid lost in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (9-7) to Yates.
Lindgren and Kowalski each lost in three sets at No. 3 and No. 5 singles, respectively. It was Kowalski’s loss that clinched the victory for USC Upstate.
The win puts USC Upstate at 5-7 on the season. The loss drops Elon back to .500 at 4-4. The Phoenix returns to the court when they host Texas-Pan American on Sunday at 3 p.m.