Men's Tennis: Owls Blast Arizona, UTPA
2/16/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Freshman Richard Barker won his sixth match in a row at the number one position with a 6-4, 6-2 decision over Arizona's Steve Capriati in the morning, and a 6-1, 6-1 victory over UTPA's Matt Gower in the afternoon session.
Richard's twin brother, William, also picked up a pair of victories at the number two position with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Arizona's Tom Lloyd, and a 6-1, 6-0 win over UTPA's Enrique Bastante. Matthias Mathaes downed Arizona's Whi Kim, 6-3, 6-2, at number three in the morning, while Fabien Giraud cruised past UTPA's Brandon Meiners, 6-2, 6-4 at number three in the afternoon.
Vuk Rajevac fought hard but was the only Owl to lose Friday, dropping a 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 decision to Arizona's Jari Niskala in the number four position. Cody Jackson took the number four match against UTPA's Juan Saiz Picazo, 6-1, 6-3. Alexis Pourchet returned to action after a leg injury to sweat out a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7) victory over Arizona's Roeland Brateanu. Against UTPA, Rafael Reyes won the number five match over Kareem Abdullah, 6-1, 7-6 (2). At the number six spot, Jackson downed Arizona's Bruno Arapovic, 6-2, 6-2, while Ramez Qamer took care of UTPA's Tom Mangelschots, 6-3, 6-2.
In doubles action, the Barkers remained undefeated in dual match play by downing Arizona's Capriati and Kim, 8-3, at number one, while Mathaes and Pourchet downed Carl Hagman and Lloyd, 8-4. At number three, Rajevac and Giraud cruised past Arnaud Agniel and Brateanu, 8-2. The doubles session against UTPA was not played.
The matches were moved indoors due to rain Friday morning. The Owls improve to 8-0 during the dual match season and will return to action when they host North Carolina State Sunday at Jake Hess Tennis Stadium.
Rice 6, Arizona 1
Singles
1. Richard Barker (RU) def. Steve Capriati (UA) 6-4, 6-2
2. William Barker (RU) def. Tom Lloyd (UA) 6-2, 6-3
3. Matthias Mathaes (RU) def. Whi Kim (UA) 6-3, 6-2
4. Jari Niskala (UA) def. Vuk Rajevac (RU) 6-4, 6-7, 6-4
5. Alexis Pourchet (RU) def. Roeland Brateanu (UA) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7)
6. Cody Jackson (RU) def. Bruno Arapovic (UA) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1. R. Barker/W. Barker (RU) def. Capriati/Kim (UA) 8-3
2. Mathaes/Pourchet (RU) def. Carl Hagman/Lloyd (UA) 8-4
3. Rajevac/Fabien Giraud (RU) def. Arnaud Agniel/Brateanu (UA) 8-2
Rice 6, Texas-Pan American 0
Singles
1. Richard Barker (RU) def. Matt Gower (UTPA) 6-1, 6-1
2. William Barker (RU) def. Enrique Bastante (UTPA) 6-1, 6-0
3. Fabien Giraud (RU) def. Brandon Meiners (UTPA) 6-2, 6-4
4. Cody Jackson (RU) def. Juan Saiz Picazo (UTPA) 6-1, 6-3
5. Rafael Reyes (RU) def. Kareem Abdullah (UTPA) 6-1, 7-6 (2)
6. Ramez Qamer (RU) def. Tom Mangelschots (UTPA) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles
Not Played