ROME, Ga. – Georgia Tech men’s tennis pressured No. 17 North Carolina in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Saturday, but fell short, dropping a 4-1 decision. The Yellow Jackets moved to 10-14 on the season.
North Carolina gained early momentum in the match, collecting wins on the top two courts for the early match lead. The Tar Heels took the first three games on court two and pushed its lead out to 6-1 for the early advantage in doubles before the point was clinched from the No. 1 court. Andres Martin and Marcus McDaniel kept it close against Brian Cernoch and Mac Kiger, but UNC went up a break and pushed its lead out to 5-2. The point was clinched with a 6-3 decision.
In singles play, Martin evened the match at 1-1, making quick work of Cernoch on court one. Martin led 3-1 in the first set and dropped only three games en route to a 6-3 opening set. The Jacket took a 4-3 lead in the second set and clinched the match at 6-4 to put the Yellow Jackets on the scoreboard.
The rally was short-lived, however, as UNC claimed the next three matches to finish in straight-sets. UNC retook the lead with a 6-1, 6-4 decision on court six and went up 3-1 following a 6-2, 7-6 (1) victory on court four. Anuj Watane clinched the match for the Tar Heels on court five, 6-2, 6-4.
RESULTS
DOUBLES
1. No. 8 Brian Cernoch/Mac Kiger (UNC) def. No. 13 Andres Martin/Marcus McDaniel (GT) 6-3
2. Casey Kania/Logan Zapp (UNC) def. Brandon McKinney/Pablo Schelcher (GT) 6-1
3. Keshav Chopra/Angel Guerreo (GT) vs. Benjamin Sigouin/Peter Murphy (UNC) 3-5, DNF
Order of finish: 2,1
SINGLES
1. No. 54 Andres Martin (GT) def. No. 33 Brian Cernoch (UNC) 6-3, 6-4
2. Marcus McDaniel (GT) vs. Benjamin Sigouin (UNC) 7-5, 5-5, DNF
3. Mac Kiger (UNC) def. Keshav Chopra (GT) 6-2, 7-6 (7-1)
4. Chen Dong (GT) vs. Logan Zapp (UNC) 7-5, 5-3, DNF
5. Anuj Watane (UNC) def. Brandon McKinney (GT) 6-2, 6-4
6. Peter Murphy (UNC) def. Angel Guerrero (GT) 6-1, 6-4
Order of finish: 1, 6, 3, 5
