Trojans Fall to UAB

Wednesday, March 27

Troy, Ala.

2:00 p.m.

Troy University

UAB

Photo by: Joshua Thurston

3/27/2013 5:48:00 PM | Tennis (M)

By: Matt Mays

TROY, Ala. – Playing its first home match in over three weeks, the Troy men's tennis team couldn't snap its current losing streak, falling to UAB, 7-0, at the Lunsford Tennis Complex on Wednesday.

Troy (7-11) has now lost five straight heading into this weekend's tough MT Shootout at Middle Tennessee. Troy forced two third-set super tiebreakers against the Blazers (14-9), but was unable to convert in the shutout loss.

“It is that time of year where you have to out tough your opponent,” Troy head coach Eric Hayes said. “You have to outlast them mentally and physically. When you get punched in the face, you punch back. Today we did not have a whole team do that. A couple did, but that's not enough.”

Sami Ghorbel, at second singles, and Daniel Bustamante, at third singles, each forced super tiebreaks in their respective matches, but both fell. Ghorbel fought back from losing the first to force his match to the brink before falling, 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-8).

Complete results from the match are below. The Trojans return to the court this weekend when they travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn., for the MT Shootout. Troy is seeded fifth in the eight-team tournament and will take on South Alabama in the first round on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

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.

UAB 7, Troy 0

Singles competition
1. David Zimmerman (UAB) def. Anas Rouchdi (TROY) 6-3, 6-4
2. Tom Puetz (UAB) def. Sami Ghorbel (TROY) 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-8)
3. Rafael Rondino (UAB) def. Daniel Bustamante (TROY) 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-6)
4. Chris Helliar (UAB) def. Patrick Eichler (TROY) 6-1, 6-1
5. Luiz Felipe Pinto (UAB) def. Andre Stabile (TROY) 6-3, 6-3
6. Lucas Dirube (UAB) def. Josh Hurd (TROY) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Sami Ghorbel/Andre Stabile (TROY) vs. Tom Puetz/David Zimmerman (UAB) 4-7, unfinished
2. Chris Helliar/Lucas Dirube (UAB) def. Patrick Eichler/Anas Rouchdi (TROY) 8-4
3. Rafael Rondino/Luiz Felipe Pinto (UAB) def. Daniel Bustamante/Tommy Cundy (TROY) 8-3

Match Notes
UAB 14-9
Troy 7-11
T-3:00