TEMPE, Ariz. – The Sun Devils men tennis team returned for their final day of action at the Tempe Collegiate Classic, and arguably their biggest test as they set to take on No. 3 Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon.
The day began with the Devils taking advantage of doubles play early by gaining two wins on court one and three.
The tandem of Andrea Bolla and Tim Ruehl were back at it for their third day in a row as dual partners, where they marked a 6-4 victory over Mississippi State teammates, giving them back-to-back wins for the match play tournament.
Transfers Dominik Kellovsky and Nathan Ponwith followed on court one, as they kept the Bulldogs in check throughout, taking the match to secure two of three doubles matches for the Maroon and Gold, 7-5.
On court two, things began to heat up for the final doubles match as Justin Roberts and Makey Rakotomalala battled to earn a clean sweep. The pair drew the game to a deciding tiebreaker but were unable to break the Bulldogs momentum, as ASU fell, 7-6 (3).
Singles action began with a quick start from the Bulldogs, who took three matches.
A back and forth affair took place on court five, as Bolla completed a straight-set victory to put the Devils on the board in singles action and add the first win of his young season.
The final match of the day brought the chance for ASU to even things up. The Sun Devils newly introduced Nathan Ponwith had his hands full after losing his first set to Mississippi States' Niclas Braun. Ultimately, Ponwith willed his way to his third singles victory of the weekend, as he won 5-7 6-3 6-2.
ASU continues back next week as they hit the road for the first time this season when they face Duke and No. 1 Wake Forest.
Match Results
Doubles Finals:
1. Ponwith/Kellovsky (ASU) def. Borges/Rakic (MSU) | 7-5
2. Braun/Oradini (MSU) def. Roberts/Rakotomalala (ASU) | 7-6 (3)
3. Bolla/Ruehl (ASU) def. Broska/Foshey (MSU) | 6-4
Singles Finals:
1. Nuno Borges (MSU) def. Dominik Kellovsky (ASU) | 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
2. Giovanni Oradini (MSU) def. Justin Roberts (ASU) | 6-1, 7-6 (5)
3. Strahinja Rakic (MSU) def. Makey Rakotomalala (ASU) | 3-6, 6-1, 7-5
4. Nathan Ponwith (ASU) def. Niclas Braun (MSU) | 5-7 6-3 6-2 5. Andrea Bolla (ASU) def. Florian Broska (MSU) | 6-3, 6-4
The day began with the Devils taking advantage of doubles play early by gaining two wins on court one and three.
The tandem of Andrea Bolla and Tim Ruehl were back at it for their third day in a row as dual partners, where they marked a 6-4 victory over Mississippi State teammates, giving them back-to-back wins for the match play tournament.
Transfers Dominik Kellovsky and Nathan Ponwith followed on court one, as they kept the Bulldogs in check throughout, taking the match to secure two of three doubles matches for the Maroon and Gold, 7-5.
On court two, things began to heat up for the final doubles match as Justin Roberts and Makey Rakotomalala battled to earn a clean sweep. The pair drew the game to a deciding tiebreaker but were unable to break the Bulldogs momentum, as ASU fell, 7-6 (3).
Singles action began with a quick start from the Bulldogs, who took three matches.
A back and forth affair took place on court five, as Bolla completed a straight-set victory to put the Devils on the board in singles action and add the first win of his young season.
The final match of the day brought the chance for ASU to even things up. The Sun Devils newly introduced Nathan Ponwith had his hands full after losing his first set to Mississippi States' Niclas Braun. Ultimately, Ponwith willed his way to his third singles victory of the weekend, as he won 5-7 6-3 6-2.
ASU continues back next week as they hit the road for the first time this season when they face Duke and No. 1 Wake Forest.
Match Results
Doubles Finals:
1. Ponwith/Kellovsky (ASU) def. Borges/Rakic (MSU) | 7-5
2. Braun/Oradini (MSU) def. Roberts/Rakotomalala (ASU) | 7-6 (3)
3. Bolla/Ruehl (ASU) def. Broska/Foshey (MSU) | 6-4
Singles Finals:
1. Nuno Borges (MSU) def. Dominik Kellovsky (ASU) | 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
2. Giovanni Oradini (MSU) def. Justin Roberts (ASU) | 6-1, 7-6 (5)
3. Strahinja Rakic (MSU) def. Makey Rakotomalala (ASU) | 3-6, 6-1, 7-5
4. Nathan Ponwith (ASU) def. Niclas Braun (MSU) | 5-7 6-3 6-2 5. Andrea Bolla (ASU) def. Florian Broska (MSU) | 6-3, 6-4