Trojans Drop Home Opener

Saturday, February 9

Troy, Ala.

1:00 p.m.

Troy University

Southern Miss

Photo by: Troy University

2/9/2013 5:10:00 PM | Tennis (M)

By: Matt Mays

TROY, Ala. – The Troy men's tennis team opened its home schedule on Saturday, but fell to Southern Miss, 5-2, at the Lunsford Tennis Complex.

Troy (1-5) reworked the top of its lineup, and saw mixed results on the day, beginning with doubles play.

Mansingh Athare and Sami Ghorbel, playing together for the first time this year, took the first spot in the lineup. They faced the 60th ranked doubles team in the nation in Andrew Goodwin and Matt Frost. Troy's Athare and Ghorbel ultimately fell, but hung with the ranked Golden Eagles, 8-5.

Troy also fell at second doubles, clinching the opening point for Southern Miss (6-2).

In singles play, Troy's Anas Rouchdi moved into the top spot for the first time this season, and dominated Frost in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. Troy also won at fifth singles where Ghorbel continues to impress, this time in a straight set win over Vasco Valverde, 6-0, 6-3. Ghorbel is now 5-1 on the season in singles play, all at fifth singles.

However, Troy lost the remaining four singles matches, three of them in straight sets. Troy's Mansingh Athare played in the most exciting match of the day, but fell at third singles, 6-7, 7-5, 10-8.

Complete results are below. Troy now takes a break before returning to the court on February 21 at Samford.

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.

Southern Miss 5, Troy 2

Singles competition
1. Anas Rouchdi (TROY) def. Matt Frost (USM) 6-2, 6-2
2. Andrew Goodwin (USM) def. Andre Stabile (TROY) 6-3, 3-1, retired
3. Benjamin Feldmann (USM) def. Mansingh Athare (TROY) 6-7, 7-5, 1-0 (10-8)
4. Paulo Alvarado (USM) def. Daniel Bustamante (TROY) 6-4, 6-3
5. Sami Ghorbel (TROY) def. Vasco Valverde (USM) 6-0, 6-3
6. Brad Marriott (USM) def. Patrick Eichler (TROY) 7-5, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. #60 Goodwin/Frost (USM) def. Athare/Ghorbel (TROY) 8-5
2. Inaki Belloso/Valverde (USM) def. Bustamante/Stabile (TROY) 8-6
3. Eichler/Rouchdi (TROY) vs. Alvarado/Juan Escobar (USM) 6-6, unfinished

Match Notes
Southern Miss 6-2
Troy 1-5
T-3:30