TEMPE - No. 27 Sun Devil Men's Tennis (17-9, 4-4 Big 12) nearly knocked off No. 15 UCF (19-5, 5-3 Big 12) in Sunday's Senior Day matchup, as senior Mathis Bondaz battled for a 5-3 lead after being down 0-3 in his third set, ultimately falling 5-7, allowing the visitors to go home victorious.
Despite losing the doubles point, the Sun Devils claimed five of six first sets, which was highlighted by Ofek Shimanov and Shu Matsuoka each winning 6-0. Matsuoka and Niels Villard picked up straight-set wins to put ASU ahead 2-1 before Jelani Sarr was defeated on court three to tie the match at two.
Shimanov picked up his three-set win from the first position to have ASU within one point of securing the match, but Roi Ginat fell in the third set, and Bondaz nearly battled all the way back before falling 5-7 to have UCF walk away with the 4-3 win.
Singles competition
- Ofek Shimanov (ASU) def. #73 Yassine Dlimi (UCf) 6-0, 0-6, 6-4
- #123 Wissam Abderrahman (UCF) def. Mathis Bondaz (ASU) 4-6, 6-1, 7-5
- Pedro Rodrigues (UCF) def. Jelani Sarr (ASU) 7-5, 6-3
- Shu Matsuoka (ASU) def. Paul Colin (UCF) 6-0, 6-4
- Niels Villard (ASU) def. Nicolas Oliveira (UCF) 6-4, 6-4
- Clement Lemire (UCF) def. Roi Ginat (ASU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
Order of finish: 4, 5, 3, 1, 6, 2
Doubles competition
- Yassine Dlimi/Paul Colin (UCF) def. Jelani Sarr/Roi Ginat (ASU) 6-4
- Luca Hotze/Nicolas Oliveira (UCF) def. Milos Mikovic/Ofek Shimanov (ASU) 6-4
- Niels Villard/Shu Matsuoka (ASU) vs. Wissam Abderrahman/Clement Lemire (UCF) 5-4 unfinished
Order of finish: 1, 2
Up next
The Sun Devils will start postseason play in the Big 12 Tournament April 15-18 in Orlando, Florida.
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