Troy University Athletics
Trojans Register a First Thursday Night
3/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
MOBILE, Ala. - The 68th-ranked Troy University men's tennis team knew they were faced with a tough task of getting their ninth consecutive victory as they hit the road to face in-state rival South Alabama on Thursday.
Troy (14-3) found out just how tough that task would be as they found themselves tied 3-all with one match on the court and their player down a set and 2-0 in the second set. However, Aurelien Tave found a way to fight back and win the second set in a tiebreaker, jump out to a 4-1 lead in the third set and win the final set to extend the Trojans streak to nine on Thursday night.
The Trojans won for the first time in school history against South Alabama on Thursday night, as they entered the match with a record of 0-10 all-time against the Jags.
Before Tave could provide his heroics, the Trojans won the all-important doubles point that proved to be the winner of the match. The Trojans fell behind early in doubles play as they dropped a match at number two, but were able to even the doubles action when the team of Luis Henrique Grangeiro and Mario Rolemberg defeated South Alabama's Hanno Bartsch and Alexandre Bernard 8-4. Then the excitement would build as the two teams at number three battled for every point to give their team the advantage. Finally, however, the Trojan team of Guilherme Sahadi and Anas Rouchdi were able to pick up a break to defeat South Alabama's Lucas Viel and Dauw Kruger, 9-7, to give the Trojans the point.
Trailing 1-0, South Alabama was able to even the match with a victory at number one before Xavier Masson gave Troy a 2-1 advantage in the team score with a 6-0, 7-6 (7-4) victory over South Alabama's Bernard at number four. The Jags were able to come back and take a 3-2 lead with victories at number six and number five, putting the Trojans' backs against the wall.
Troy responded with two three set victories.
Branko Weber had his match tied by South Alabama's Christian Kuehne, but was able to come back and win the thrilling three-set match 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 to set the tone for Tave at number two.
Tave started slow as he dropped eight of the first nine games, before storming back to win the match 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 to give the Trojans an overall 4-3 lead.
The Trojans are off until next weekend when they host the Sun Belt Shootout in which each men's tennis team from the conference will be attendance to participate.
(68) Troy 4, South Alabama 3
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Mobile, Alabama
Singles
1. Romain Bocaert (USA) def. Luis Henrique Grangeiro (TROY) 6-1, 6-1
2. Aurelien Tave (TROY) def. Lucas Viel (USA) 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
3. Branko Weber (TROY) def. Christian Kuehne (USA) 6-1, 3-6, 6-2
4. Xavier Masson (TROY) def. Alexandre Bernard (USA) 6-0, 7-6 (7-4)
5. Hanno Bartsch (USA) def. Mario Rolemberg (TROY) 6-3, 7-5
6. Kruger, Dauw (USA) def. Guilherme Sahadi (TROY) 6-4, 6-1
Doubles
1. Luis Henrique Grangeiro/Mario Rolemberg (TROY) def. Hanno Bartsch/Alexandre Bernard (USA) 8-4
2. Romain Bocaert/Christian Kuehne (USA) def. Xavier Masson/Branko Weber (TROY) 8-6
3. Guilherme Sahadi/Anas Rouchdi (TROY) def. Lucas Viel/Dauw Kruger (USA) 9-7
Match Notes
Troy 14-3; National ranking #68
South Alabama 6-8
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (1,4,6,5,3,2)
T - 3:15
