Rice University
Vanderbilt
Owls Beat Commodores 4-3
2/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 26, 2006
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The sophomore tandem of Ralph Knupfer and Filip Zivojinovic scored an upset in doubles to lead 43rd-ranked Rice to a 4-3 victory at 41st-ranked Vanderbilt on Sunday in Nashville, Tenn.
Playing at number one doubles, Knupfer and Zivojinovic dropped 36th-ranked Evan Dufaux and Andy Mack in an 8-6 decision as the Owls swept the doubles point. Rodrigo Gabriel and Tony Haerle posted an 8-7 win at number two, while Christoph Müller and Ben Harknett won 8-6 at number three.
The action stepped up in singles with three matches going to a third set. Knupfer swept Dufaux 6-3, 6-1 at the two position, then Zivojinovic prevailed in a close 7-6, 7-6 battle against Nathan Sachs at number four. Müller clinched the Rice team victory with his 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win against Jordan Magarik at number five.
The Owls (5-4) take a break from dual-match action next weekend to compete in the 117th Annual Pacific Coast Doubles Championships in LaJolla, Calif.
Results
No. 43 Rice 4, No. 41 Vanderbilt 3
Doubles
1. Knupfer/Zivojinovic (RU) def. No. 36 Dufaux/Mack (VU), 8-6
2. Gabriel/Haerle (RU) def. Preston/Sachs (VU), 8-7
3. Müller/Harknett (RU) def. Cromydas/Magarik (VU), 8-6
Singles
1. No. 70 Ryan Preston (VU) def. Ben Harknett (RU), 6-3, 6-2
2. Ralph Knupfer (RU) def. Evan Dufaux (VU), 6-3, 6-1
3. No. 90 Andy Mack (VU) def. Tony Haerle (RU), 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
4. Filip Zivojinovic (RU) def. Nathan Sachs (VU), 7-6, 7-6
5. Christoph Müller (RU) def. Jordan Magarik (VU), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
6. Nik Cromydas (VU) def. Rodrigo Gabriel (RU), 7-6, 4-6, 1-0(7)
Players Mentioned
