Feb. 5, 2011
ATLANTA – The 22nd-ranked Georgia Tech men’s tennis team picked up wins at the top three singles positions, following a sweep in doubles en route to a 4-0 victory over Mississippi State (1-2) Saturday at the Bill Moore Tennis Center.
The Jackets improve to 4-1 on the season with the win.
“We fought and played like champions today,” head coach Kenny Thorne said. “We were very disappointed over the past weekend with our loss and we had to respond to let the nation know that we are a team that should be feared. Mississippi State is a very good team and they fight extremely hard, so I am really proud of our team for today’s win.”
Georgia Tech struck early after winning every match in doubles competition for a 1-0 lead. Georgia Tech’s No. 3 tandem of Guillermo Gomez and Dean O’Brien improved to 5-0 in dual match play after an 8-5 dispatch of Mississippi State’s Malte Stropp and Louis Cant.
On court two, Eliot Potvin and Ryan Smith would clinch the point soon after with an identical 8-5 win over the Bulldogs’ Artem Llyusin and Zach White.
Tech’s eighth-ranked duo of Juan Spir and Kevin King would complete the sweep at No. 1, surviving a gripping match with George Coupland and James Chaudry. Spir and King notched out a win in extra sets, 9-8 (5), over the Bulldog pair.
“We had numerous challenges throughout the day and we always responded with a strong heart,” Thorne added. “I believe we are getting better every day at doubles and our teams are very comfortable and experienced.”
The Jackets took the first three singles matches, starting off with Potvin at No. 3, to clinch the match.
Potvin quickly dismantled Malte Stropp in straight-sets, 7-5, 6-2 to end his two-match losing streak.
“It was a really good match for me to bounce back with after a rough time on the road last weekend,” Potvin said. “We were happy just to get back home and play Mississippi State, and everyone came out ready to play and was fired up after our win in doubles.”
Gomez was the next Tech player to claim a victory, dropping Coupland at the No. 1 position. Gomez, ranked No. 12 in the nation, improved his record to 4-1 during the dual match season.
The biggest win of the day came at the No. 2 position, as Spir clinched the match after falling 6-3 in the first set to Llyusin.
The Medellin, Colombia native bounced back for a 7-6 (8) extra-set win in the second set, before clinching the match with a 6-3 win in the third.
Spir, No. 48, is now 4-1 in dual match play.
“We are dangerous at every position in singles. I think we put the best singles player in the nation on the court at number one in Guillermo Gomez and the best doubles team in the nation at number one in Kevin King and Juan Spir. We have still have work to do, but we are doing it and results will come.”
The Jackets return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 9, as they host Georgia State at the Bill Moore Tennis Center. The match is schedule to start at 2:30 p.m.
Tennis Match Results
Mississippi State vs Georgia Tech
Feb 05, 2011 at Atlanta, Ga.
#22 Georgia Tech 6, #34 Mississippi State 0
Singles competition:
1. #12 Guillermo Gomez (GT) def. George Coupland (MS) 6-4, 7-5
2. #48 Juan Spir (GT) def. Artem Llyushin (MS) 3-6, 7-6 (10-8), 6-3
3. Eliot Potvin (GT) def. Malte Stropp (MS) 7-5, 6-2
4. Kevin King (GT) def. #60 Louis Cant (MS) 6-2, 3-3, unfinished
5. Magin Ortiga (GT) def. James Chaudry (MS) 6-5, unfinished
6. Zach White (MS) vs. Dean O’Brien (GT) no result
Doubles competition:
1. #8 Juan Spir/Kevin King (GT) def. George Coupland/James Chaudry (MS) 9-8 (7-5)
2. Eliot Potvin/Ryan Smith (GT) def. Artem Llyushin/Zach White (MS) 8-5
3. Guillermo Gomez/Dean O’Brien (GT) def. Malte Stropp/Louis Cant (MS) 8-5
Match Notes:
Mississippi State 1-1; National ranking #34
Georgia Tech 3-1; National ranking #22
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3,1,2)
Match played indoors
