Tulane University
#19 Alabama
Men's Tennis Falls at No. 19 Alabama, 6-1
Feb 7, 2010 | Men's Tennis
Feb. 7, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Tulane's men's tennis team avoided the sweep, but could not muster much more against No. 19 Alabama in a 6-1 loss to the Crimson Tide on Sunday afternoon at the University of Alabama Tennis Center.
Rodrigo Rappaccioli's court 4 win over Alabama's Michael Davis, 2-6, 7-6, 1-0, allowed Tulane (2-2) to avoid the sweep against the nationally ranked Crimson Tide (3-1). Rappaccioli came back from down a set and break point to win the match.
"I am proud of Rodrigo for the way he was able to come back today," Tulane head coach Mark Booras said. "He showed a lot of character to be able and come back the way her did to earn us the point."
Alabama took the doubles point to open the afternoon by sweeping all three matches. The 34th ranked doubles team of Houssam Yassine and Trey Walston opened the match with an 8-3 victory over Etham Frenkel and Trevor Getz on court 3. Saketh Myneni and Jarryd Botha defeated Shaye Wali and Joe Young, 8-2, on court 1 and Davis and Michael Thompson got past Adam Bernstein and Rappaccioli, 8-5, on court 2.
The Crimson Tide then won the first five singles matches to secure the victory. Myneni, the 62nd ranked player in the nation, handed Young his first singles loss, 6-1, 6-1, on court 1, while Houssam Yassine beat Coby Kramer-Golnikoff, 6-2, 6-0, on court 5 to give Alabama a 3-0 lead in the match.
Jarryd Botha handed Bernstein his first singles lost in the deciding match of the afternoon, 6-2, 6-1, on court 3.
"Alabama showed why they are ranked No. 19 in the country," Booras added. "They were able to complete at a level of consistency that we just could not match. But, I was excited to see our young guys complete like we did against a team like Alabama."
Alabama's fifth and sixth points came from the racquets of No. 123 Michael Thompson and Creighton Blanchard. Thompson defeated Wali, 6-2, 6-2, on court 2, while Blanchard came back to edge past Getz, 3-6, 6-3, 1-0, on court 6.
The Green Wave return to host New Orleans on Saturday, Feb. 20 at noon at the Goldring Tennis Center.
Players Mentioned
