Trojans Fall to Georgia State in Opening Round

Saturday, March 31

Murfreesboro, TN

8:30 a.m.

Troy University

Georgia State University

Photo by: Troy University

Trojans Fall to Georgia State in Opening Round

3/31/2012 12:33:00 PM | Tennis (M)

By: Matt Mays

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Troy men's tennis team returned to the court on Saturday morning as they opened play at the Sun Belt Shootout, falling to Georgia State, 4-1, in the first round.

The Trojans (3-13) got out to a fast start against the No.71 Panthers as they took the doubles point from the tournament's second seed. Troy's Mansingh Athare and Sami Ghorbel cruised at number one doubles, topping Georgia State's Matias Hatem and Thomas Cook, 8-2.

Anas Rouchdi and Patrick Eichler clinched the point for the Trojans at number three doubles as they picked up an 8-4 win over Sofiane Chevallier and Lucas Santana.

However, the Panthers (16-3) were able to turn it around in singles play as they took the first four matches that were final to pick up the 4-1 win. The Trojans fell at numbers two, four and five in straight sets and fell at number three singles in three sets.

Rouchdi's match at number one singles and Tadju Davies' match at number six singles were unfinished.

Georgia State moves on to face Middle Tennessee in the semifinals. Troy moves to the consolation round where they will take on Austin Peay State ate 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.

For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or become fans on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.

#71 Georgia State 4, Troy 1
Mar 31, 2012 at Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Old Fort Park)

Singles competition
1. Victor Valente (GSU) vs. Anas Rouchdi (TROY) 6-3, 1-6, 2-2, unfinished
2. Matias Hatem (GSU) def. Sami Ghorbel (TROY) 6-3, 6-3
3. Thomas Cook (GSU) def. Jamie Eccleton (TROY) 2-6, 6-2, 6-0
4. Sofiane Chevallier (GSU) def. Mansingh Athare (TROY) 6-4, 6-3
5. Juan Pablo Gutierrez (GSU) def. Patrick Eichler (TROY) 6-2, 6-3
6. Ismael Lahlou (GSU) vs. Tadju Davies (TROY) 7-5, 2-2, unfinished

Doubles competition
1. Mansingh Athare/Sami Ghorbel (TROY) def. Matias Hatem/Thomas Cook (GSU) 8-2
2. Victor Valente/Juan Pablo Gutierrez (GSU) vs. Ture Skinner/Jamie Eccleton (TROY) 7-4, unfinished
3. Anas Rouchdi/Patrick Eichler (TROY) def. Sofiane Chevallier/Lucas Santana (GSU) 8-4

Match Notes
Troy 3-13
Georgia State 16-3; National ranking #71