Evan Millstein, SDA Student Assistant
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State men's tennis team returned home and defeated the New Mexico Lobos 4-1 on Saturday afternoon at Whiteman Tennis Center.
The tandem of Michael Geerts and Tim Ruhel struck first 6-2 over Bart van Leijsen and Jorge Escuitia to take the advantage in doubles. Andrea Bolla and Makey Rakotomalala clinched the opening point by downing Ricky Hernandez Tong and Dominic West.
Devils clinch the doubles point with Bolla/Rakotomalala taking down Hernandez/Tong 6-3 ?? pic.twitter.com/vGi88vwXtV
— Sun Devil M. Tennis (@SunDevilMTennis) March 24, 2018
In singles play, Benjamin Hannestad returned to the court in his first match since competing against No. 2 Stanford. He fell 1-6, 4-6 to Ricky Hernandez Tong for the Lobos' sole point on the afternoon.
The Pac-12 Player of the Week in Geerts took care of van Leijsen in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 on court one. The senior continues his dominance as he notched his 10th victory in his last 11 matches.
#ForksUp%20to%20Micha%C3%ABl%20for%20earning%20his%20second%20Pac-12%20Player%20of%20the%20Week%20honor.%20??%20pic.twitter.com/Vn7hio198R
—%20Sun%20Devil%20M.%20Tennis%20(@SunDevilMTennis)%20March%2020,%202018%20">Tweet ##ForksUp to Michaël for earning his second Pac-12 Player of the Week honor. ?? pic.twitter.com/Vn7hio198R
— Sun Devil M. Tennis (@SunDevilMTennis) March 20, 2018
Makey Rakotomalala forced New Mexico on their heels as he took his match against Escuitia in straight sets 6-0, 6-4 to secure a 3-1 lead.
With the Devils ahead, the match was in control. Who better to secure the victory than the freshman who has been on a tear.
Andrea Bolla defeated Stepan Holis 6-3, 6-4 on court eight to send Sun Devil faithful home happy. The Italian has now rambled off six straight wins and hasn't fell since Feb. 17 at San Diego.
The remaining matches were abandoned.
The Sun Devils prepare for their final regular season road-trip. They face Utah next weekend and visit Oregon and Washington the following.
First serve from Salt Lake City, Utah is slated for 12 p.m. MST on March 31.
ARIZONA STATE 4
NEW MEXICO 1
Doubles Finishes:
1. Michael Geerts/Tim Ruehl (ASU) def. Bart van Leijsen/Jorge Escuitia (NM) | 6-2
2. Andrea Bolla/Makey Rakotomalala (ASU) def. Ricky Hernandez Tong/Dominic West (NM) | 6-3
3. Benjamin Hannestad/Will Kirman (ASU) vs. Stepan Holis/Sean Bakini (NM) | 5-3, unf.
*Order of finish: 1,2
Singles Finishes:
1. Michael Geerts (ASU) def. Bart van Leijsen (NM) | 6-3, 6-4
2. Ricky Hernandez Tong (NM) def. Benjamin Hannestad (ASU) | 6-1, 6-4
3. Makey Rakotomalala (ASU) def. Jorge Escuitia (NM) | 6-0, 6-4
4. Tim Ruhel (ASU) vs. Dominic West (NM) | 6-2, 5-3, unf.
5. Andrea Bolla (ASU) def. Stepan Holis (NM) | 6-3, 6-4
6. Will Kirkman (ASU) vs. Sean Baklini (NM) | 6-2, 6-6, unf.
*Order of finish: 1, 2, 3, 5