MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Michaël Geerts extended his singles win streaks to four games as Sun Devil men's tennis opened up the 70th Annual Blue Gray Tennis Classic with a win over Boise State, 4-0.
For the third time this season, ASU took the doubles point in part by wins from pairs Benjamin Hannestad/Tim Ruehl and Rakotomalala/Andrea Bolla, with the latter remaining undefeated on the season in doubles play with a perfect 2-0 record.
The Devils (6-3) fell behind early on in doubles play with Geerts/Wright dropping their match 1-6 in their first game as a tandem. The pair on court two of Hannestad/Ruehl evened things up at one apiece shortly thereafter.
For Rakotomalala/Bolla, it was just their second time as a pair after debuting with a victory against Pepperdine last weekend, 6-2. They defeated their opponent 6-4 to clinch the doubles point for ASU.
"I was really impressed with our No. 3 doubles today because Mak and Andrea are really starting to play well on the court," coach Matt Hill said. "They're starting to understand and get used to each other's style of play."
In singles play, Geerts made quick work of his opponent to improve to 3-3 in the spring, gliding past Jack Heslin in two sets, 6-1 6-1, to allow the Devils to jump out to a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Rakotomalala racked up a victory of his own soon after to extend his amazing start to the season, 6-3 6-2. The victory gives the Frenchman a 6-2 singles record, securing sole possession of first place on the team in wins.
With a comfortable 3-0 lead and four singles matches still in play, Hannestad's match clinched the victory for the Devils, his second game-clinching point of the season. Hannestad defeated Matteo Tinelli 6-3 6-4 to improve to 4-2 this spring and secure an easy 4-0 victory for the Devils.
"We had some great singles performances today from a lot of the guys, and they're just taking care of business when they need to," Hill said. "We're really excited to move forward in the draw and play again tomorrow morning."
Bolla, Ruehl and Wright's matches were all suspended, with two of the three holding leads over their respective opponents.
Arizona State: 4
Boise State: 0
Doubles Play
1. Kyle Butters/Jack Heslin (BSU) def. Michaël Geerts/Thomas Wright (ASU), 6-1
2. Tim Ruehl/Benjamin Hannestad (ASU) def. Mattia Bedolo/Pedro Platzeck (BSU), 6-4
3. Makey Rakotomalala/Andrea Bolla (ASU) def. Wyatt DeMulling/Stefan Lalovic (BSU), 6-4
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3
Singles Play
1. #65 Michaël Geerts (ASU) def. Jack Heslin (BSU) 6-1, 6-1
2. # 56 Benjamin Hannestad (ASU) def. Matteo Tinelli (BSU) 6-3, 6-4
3. Makey Rakotomalala (ASU) def. Mattia Bedolo (BSU) 6-3, 6-2
4. Tim Ruehl (ASU) vs. Wyatt DeMulling (BSU) 6-2, 4-5, unfinished
5. Andrea Bolla (ASU) vs. Kyle Butters (BSU) 7-5, 5-1, unfinished
6. Thomas Wright (ASU) vs. Maximmilien Blancaneaux (BSU) 6-7, 0-0 unfinished
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2
Just a few hours after their first win, ASU returned to action later that afternoon against familiar foe Fresno State. The Devils were in prime position to clinch the doubles point with Hannestad/Ruehl defeating their opponents 6-0 and Geerts/Wright up 5-3, but rain in Montgomery would postpone the match until tomorrow.
The Devils return to action tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. MST and pick up where they left off against Fresno State. Fans can follow @SunDevilMTennis for updates as well as live score updates on BlueGrayTennis.com.
For the third time this season, ASU took the doubles point in part by wins from pairs Benjamin Hannestad/Tim Ruehl and Rakotomalala/Andrea Bolla, with the latter remaining undefeated on the season in doubles play with a perfect 2-0 record.
The Devils (6-3) fell behind early on in doubles play with Geerts/Wright dropping their match 1-6 in their first game as a tandem. The pair on court two of Hannestad/Ruehl evened things up at one apiece shortly thereafter.
For Rakotomalala/Bolla, it was just their second time as a pair after debuting with a victory against Pepperdine last weekend, 6-2. They defeated their opponent 6-4 to clinch the doubles point for ASU.
"I was really impressed with our No. 3 doubles today because Mak and Andrea are really starting to play well on the court," coach Matt Hill said. "They're starting to understand and get used to each other's style of play."
In singles play, Geerts made quick work of his opponent to improve to 3-3 in the spring, gliding past Jack Heslin in two sets, 6-1 6-1, to allow the Devils to jump out to a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Rakotomalala racked up a victory of his own soon after to extend his amazing start to the season, 6-3 6-2. The victory gives the Frenchman a 6-2 singles record, securing sole possession of first place on the team in wins.
With a comfortable 3-0 lead and four singles matches still in play, Hannestad's match clinched the victory for the Devils, his second game-clinching point of the season. Hannestad defeated Matteo Tinelli 6-3 6-4 to improve to 4-2 this spring and secure an easy 4-0 victory for the Devils.
"We had some great singles performances today from a lot of the guys, and they're just taking care of business when they need to," Hill said. "We're really excited to move forward in the draw and play again tomorrow morning."
Bolla, Ruehl and Wright's matches were all suspended, with two of the three holding leads over their respective opponents.
Arizona State: 4
Boise State: 0
Doubles Play
1. Kyle Butters/Jack Heslin (BSU) def. Michaël Geerts/Thomas Wright (ASU), 6-1
2. Tim Ruehl/Benjamin Hannestad (ASU) def. Mattia Bedolo/Pedro Platzeck (BSU), 6-4
3. Makey Rakotomalala/Andrea Bolla (ASU) def. Wyatt DeMulling/Stefan Lalovic (BSU), 6-4
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3
Singles Play
1. #65 Michaël Geerts (ASU) def. Jack Heslin (BSU) 6-1, 6-1
2. # 56 Benjamin Hannestad (ASU) def. Matteo Tinelli (BSU) 6-3, 6-4
3. Makey Rakotomalala (ASU) def. Mattia Bedolo (BSU) 6-3, 6-2
4. Tim Ruehl (ASU) vs. Wyatt DeMulling (BSU) 6-2, 4-5, unfinished
5. Andrea Bolla (ASU) vs. Kyle Butters (BSU) 7-5, 5-1, unfinished
6. Thomas Wright (ASU) vs. Maximmilien Blancaneaux (BSU) 6-7, 0-0 unfinished
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2
Just a few hours after their first win, ASU returned to action later that afternoon against familiar foe Fresno State. The Devils were in prime position to clinch the doubles point with Hannestad/Ruehl defeating their opponents 6-0 and Geerts/Wright up 5-3, but rain in Montgomery would postpone the match until tomorrow.
The Devils return to action tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. MST and pick up where they left off against Fresno State. Fans can follow @SunDevilMTennis for updates as well as live score updates on BlueGrayTennis.com.