Men's tennis downs Northwestern in season opener

Sunday, January 13

Memphis, Tenn.

12 p.m.

University of Memphis

Northwestern

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Jan 13, 2019 | Men's Tennis

Box Score

Tigers claim 5-2 win to start 2019

Box Score (PDF)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis men's tennis began the 2019 campaign on a high note, defeating the Northwestern Wildcats by a 5-2 final score Sunday afternoon at the Racquet Club of Memphis.

The Tigers began the match strong with a pair of wins in doubles to claim the opening point, highlighted by a tiebreak victory on the deciding court. Memphis then used its experience toward the top of the lineup in singles play to secure the victory.

"It was a long offseason. Our last match was last year in the NCAA Tournament, and then with summer break and the fall season, it builds up to a lot of hard work to prepare for the season," head coach Paul Goebel said. "The guys did a great job. For our first match of the year, we did a lot of good things."

In doubles, duo Matt Story and Jeremy Taylor were first off the court with a 6-4 win. Northwestern rallied on court 1 to even the opening point, but teammates Jan Pallares and Patrick Sydow forced a tiebreak on court 2 and fought off multiple match points to rally and put the Tigers ahead 1-0.

"All three doubles courts were very competitive," Goebel said. "It usually comes down to one point, and at No. 2, Jan and Patrick did a fantastic job saving a few match points. It was an up-and-down match. For them to not get discouraged and fight until the end – we really needed that doubles point."

Memphis used the momentum in singles play and built a 3-0 lead. Pallares was the first off the court after a 6-4, 6-4 win, while Matt Story took court 4 in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.

The Wildcats tallied their first point of the day behind a win on court 2, but Chris Patzanovsky rallied in three sets to clinch the match for Memphis at the top spot. After a 7-5 setback in the opening frame, Patzanovsky took the second set 6-3. Trailing 4-3 in the third set, the senior worked his magic once more to earn a break and serve out the match.

"Those three returners did a great job today. In preparation leading up to this match, they have done a great job leading the way," Goebel added of his veterans in Pallares, Story and Patzanovsky. "I think Jan came out and was so focused in doubles and singles. I'm really happy for Matt. He has been working hard to get a good win on his first match. Then for Patza, moving up to the No. 1 position is never easy. Every opponent is going to be great. To lose that first set but fight back to win the next two was great to see."

Playing out the contest, Northwestern earned another win after a three-set tiebreak on court 5. Freshman Oscar Cutting then set the final score after claiming a 6-7, 6-3, 6-0 come-from-behind victory at the No. 6 position.

Memphis returns to the court Friday as the Tigers host in-state foe Belmont at 6 p.m. at the Racquet Club of Memphis.

Singles
1. Chris Patzanovsky (MEM) def. Nick Brookes (NU), 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
2. Dominik Stary (NU) def. Jeremy Taylor (MEM), 6-3, 6-3
3. Jan Pallares (MEM) def. Simen Bratholm (NU), 6-4, 6-4
4. Matt Story (MEM) def. Jason Seidman (NU), 6-2, 6-4
5. Chris Ephron (NU) def. David Stevenson (MEM), 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(5)
6. Oscar Cutting (MEM) def. Trice Pickens (NU), 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-0
(Order of finish: 3, 4, 2, 1, 5, 6)

Doubles
1. Bratholm/Brookes (NU) def. Cutting/Stevenson (MEM), 7-5
2. Pallares/Sydow (MEM) def. Ephron/Stary (NU), 7-6(7)
3. Story/Taylor (MEM) def. Fasano/Vandixhorn (NU), 6-4
(Order of finish: 3, 1, 2)