INDIAN WELLS – In the opening games of the 2018 BNP Paribas Collegiate Tennis Challenge, Arizona State men's tennis downed Southern Methodist, 4-2, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
The Sun Devils (9-5) got off to a slow start in doubles play, with the pair of Pierre Louis Dodens/Thomas Wright dropping their match on court three, 6-4. Andrea Bolla/Makey Rakotomalala battled back to notch a 6-1 victory and give the Devils a chance to clinch the doubles point, but SMU's tandem on court one proved to be too much for Tim Ruehl/Michael Geerts, as they fell 6-3.
Arizona State hit their stride in singles play with Bolla making quick work of his opponent on court four. The match is Bolla's third-straight victory, as he last notched a win against No. 3 Stanford. Team captain Geerts followed soon after on court one, grabbing a 6-1, 6-4 victory of his own to give the Devils their first lead of the match, 2-1.
Southern Methodist was down but not out, however, killing the Devils' positive momentum by handing Rakotomalala a 6-3, 6-4 loss on court two to knot the match up at two apiece.
With three matches left in play and the Devils holding leads on all three courts, it was Wright who took a win to stake a 3-2 lead for ASU. He defeated Robert Rosales of SMU 6-0, 7-5 (5) to end a two-game losing streak for the Brit.
Ruehl followed suit after a dominating second set to secure the Devils win, 4-2, and propel ASU into the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The Devils are back in action tomorrow morning as they take on the winner of BYU/Tulsa in the quarterfinal of the BNP Paribas Collegiate Tennis Challenge. Fans can follow the action by following @SunDevilMTennis on Twitter, or by accessing live stats through
NO. 26 ARIZONA STATE 4
SOUTHERN METHODIST 2
Doubles Finishes:
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1
Singles Finishes:
Order of Finish: 4, 1, 2, 5, 3
We have our first winner: @SunDevilMTennis wins against @SMUTennisM 4:2. Great effort, congrats! #BNPPO2018 #collegetennis pic.twitter.com/C9EuS1VYGf
— OracleTennis (@OracleTennis) March 16, 2018
The Sun Devils (9-5) got off to a slow start in doubles play, with the pair of Pierre Louis Dodens/Thomas Wright dropping their match on court three, 6-4. Andrea Bolla/Makey Rakotomalala battled back to notch a 6-1 victory and give the Devils a chance to clinch the doubles point, but SMU's tandem on court one proved to be too much for Tim Ruehl/Michael Geerts, as they fell 6-3.
.@SMUTennisM leading 1:0 vs. @SunDevilMTennis after the doubles. All six singles still ongoing. #BNPPO2018 Collegiate Tennis Challenge powered by @Oracle pic.twitter.com/rxBsuUcud5
— OracleTennis (@OracleTennis) March 16, 2018
Arizona State hit their stride in singles play with Bolla making quick work of his opponent on court four. The match is Bolla's third-straight victory, as he last notched a win against No. 3 Stanford. Team captain Geerts followed soon after on court one, grabbing a 6-1, 6-4 victory of his own to give the Devils their first lead of the match, 2-1.
Southern Methodist was down but not out, however, killing the Devils' positive momentum by handing Rakotomalala a 6-3, 6-4 loss on court two to knot the match up at two apiece.
With three matches left in play and the Devils holding leads on all three courts, it was Wright who took a win to stake a 3-2 lead for ASU. He defeated Robert Rosales of SMU 6-0, 7-5 (5) to end a two-game losing streak for the Brit.
Ruehl followed suit after a dominating second set to secure the Devils win, 4-2, and propel ASU into the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The Devils are back in action tomorrow morning as they take on the winner of BYU/Tulsa in the quarterfinal of the BNP Paribas Collegiate Tennis Challenge. Fans can follow the action by following @SunDevilMTennis on Twitter, or by accessing live stats through
NO. 26 ARIZONA STATE 4
SOUTHERN METHODIST 2
Doubles Finishes:
- Vrbsky/Vaise (SMU) def. Ruehl/Geerts (ASU) | 6-3
- Rakotomalala/Bolla (ASU) def. Febregas/Perotti (SMU) | 6-1
- Nettlefold/Rosales (SMU) def. Dodens/Wright | 6-4
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1
Singles Finishes:
- Michaël Geerts (ASU) def. Jan Vrbsky (SMU) | 6-1, 6-4
- Tomas Vaise (SMU) def. Makey Rakotomalala (ASU) | 6-3, 6-4
- Tim Ruehl (ASU) def. Charlie Nettlefold (SMU) | 7-5, 6-1
- Andrea Bolla (ASU) def. Michael Smith (SMU) | 6-2, 6-3
- Thomas Wright (ASU) def. Roberto Rosales (SMU) | 6-0, 7-6 (5)
- Pierre Louis Dodens (ASU) vs. Eladio Febgregas (SMU) | 4-6, 6-4, 2-0 (unf.)
Order of Finish: 4, 1, 2, 5, 3