Rice University
SMU
Men's Tennis Falls at SMU, 4-1
2/10/2024 9:21:00 PM | Men's Tennis
KELLER, Texas — Men's tennis fell, 4-1, against SMU on Saturday at the Birch Tennis Center. The match had been moved from the campus of SMU due to weather conditions.
Doubles: The Mustangs secured the doubles point with wins at the first and third positions of the lineup. At court two, senior Yasha Zemel and sophomore Kabeer Kapasi battled to a 5-5 tie at the time the point was clinched.
Singles: In singles, junior Arthus de la Bassetiere led Rice's attempt at a comeback, winning in straight sets at the third position, 7-5, 6-3. Zemel also battled back after dropping the first set, forcing a third set and building a 3-1 lead in the deciding frame before the match was clinched by SMU with victories at the first, fourth and fifth positions.
Head coach Efe Ustundag: "A slow start cost us this match. SMU did a very good job and jumped on us in doubles early and we couldn't get back in it. Similar things happened in singles. SMU was in charge for the first 45 minutes. We did what we usually do and competed hard and got ourselves into the match. Arthus did a great job coming back after yesterday's loss and winning at number three. Yasha was up 3-1 in the third with an opportunity to break for 4-1 when the match was clinched. Santiago had a good match and had a few set points to take his match to a third set but, unfortunately, we couldn't get it done."
Up Next: The Owls return to Houston to host Indiana at the George R. Brown Tennis Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 11 a.m. (CT).
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
1,3
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
1,3,4,5
