Trojans Fall to No.21 Auburn

Tuesday, January 22

Auburn, Ala.

2:00 p.m.

Troy University

Auburn

Photo by: Troy University

1/22/2013 8:08:00 PM | Tennis (M)

By: Matt Mays

AUBURN, Ala. – In a match that was much closer than the score indicated, the Troy men's tennis team fell to No.21 Auburn, 6-1, at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.

After dropping the doubles point, including a loss to the No.2 pair in the nation, Troy (1-2) had a chance to close ground in singles play. Despite dropping five singles matches, two of those came in three sets, and one came with the Trojans leading throughout.

Wins in all three of those matches would've given the Trojans a 4-3 victory, but the near upset slipped through the Trojans' fingers as Auburn (3-0) remained perfect on the young season.

“We knew they (Troy) were going to be tougher," Auburn head coach Eric Shore said. "My hat's off to them; they pushed us. I thought they exposed some areas we're a little soft in right now.”

After falling into a 3-0 hole with losses at first and third singles in straight sets, Troy's Patrick Eichler lost the first three-setter at sixth singles, 0-6, 6-4, 0-6, giving Auburn their fourth point and clinching the match.

At fourth singles, Troy's Mansingh Athare was up 4-1 in the first set and 4-2 in the second, before falling 7-5, 7-6.

Sami Ghorbel took the lone win for Troy, at fifth singles, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Anas Rouchdi also went to three sets, but fell, 7-5, 1-6, 6-7, giving Auburn the final 6-1 margin.

Full results from Tuesday's match can be found below. The Trojans return to the court on Friday, February 1 when they travel to Florida Gulf Coast.

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

#21 Auburn 6, Troy 1

Singles Competition
1. #74Daniel Cochrane (AU) def. Andre Stabile (TROY) 6-3, 3-1 ret.
2. Lukas Ollert (AU) def. Anas Rouchdi (TROY) 5-7, 6-1, 7-6
3. Dennis Lengsfeld (AU) def. Daniel Bustamante (TROY) 6-2, 6-4
4. Lucas Lopasso (AU) def. Mansingh Athare (TROY) 7-5, 7-6
5. Sami Ghorbel (TROY) def. Joseph Van Dooren (AU) 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
6. Michael Wardell (AU) def. Patrick Eichler (TROY) 6-0, 4-6, 6-0

Doubles Competition
1. Cochrane/Andreas Mies (AU) def. Ghorbel/Stabile (TROY) 8-3
2. Lengsfeld/Lopasso (AU) def. Eichler/Athare (TROY) 8-5
3. Ollert/Van Dooren (AU) def. Rouchdi/Bustamante (TROY) 8-1

Match Notes:
Troy 1-2
Auburn 3-0; National ranking #21

Order of Finish:
Singles – 1,3,6,4,5,2
Doubles – 3,1,2