Jan. 22, 2012
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Facing one of the top squads in the country, the UCF men's tennis team recorded three singles victories Sunday but came up just short in its season debut, falling 4-3 to No. 41 Wake Forest at the UCF Tennis Complex. UCF junior Jorge Blasco (Alicante, Spain) picked up an impressive win at the No. 1 singles position as he defeated Danny Kreyman, the 115th-ranked player in the nation.
Wake Forest (3-0) opened the contest but taking two of three doubles matches to claim the first point of the day. The teams then split the six singles tilts.
"It is always tough to lose a match 4-3. I thought our guys competed very hard in singles, but doubles needs to get better. We would have liked to have started our season with a win, but we will continue to build on what we learned today about our team and get better," UCF head coach Bobby Cashman said.
Blasco fell behind early to Kreyman, but rallied for a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 triumph.
"Jorge Blasco has shown how hard he fights on the court every match and has already beaten some ranked players this year," Cashman said. "He continues to improve every day and every match."
The Knights, who were playing the first of 21 dual matches this spring, also recorded wins at No. 4 and No. 5 as junior Mario Samson (Miami, Fla.) and sophomore Matthew Gladstone (Surfside, Fla.) both rallied for victories. Facing Adam Lee at No. 4, Samson recovered for a 6-7, 7-5, 10-8 triumph. Gladstone topped Conner Sherwood, 4-6, 7-6, 10-7.
"Mario also had a strong showing in a very competitive match," Cashman said. "He played long points and won critical points when he needed to. Matt Gladstone also pulled out a key win at No. 5. He gave up big leads in each set, but ultimately got the job done. When he learns to finish, he will be a tough guy to beat."
UCF's lone doubles win came at No. 3, where Gladstone and Samson held off Sherwood and Alex Tsai (8-7).
The Knights will return to action Saturday, hosting Jacksonville at Noon at the UCF Tennis Complex. Admission is free for all home contests.
#41 Wake Forest 4, UCF 3
Singles competition
1. Jorge Blasco (UCF) def. Danny Kreyman (WF) 2-6, 6-3, 7-5
2. David Hopkins (WF) def. Erik Brunskog (UCF) 6-3, 7-5
3. Amogh Prabhakar (WF) def. Mitch Thams (UCF) 6-4, 6-4
4. Mario Samson (UCF) def. Adam Lee (WF) 6-7, 7-5, 10-8
5. Matthew Gladstone (UCF) def. Conner Sherwood (WF) 4-6, 7-6, 10-7
6. Alex Tsai (WF) def. Juan Bolona (UCF) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. David Hopkins/Amogh Prabhakar (WF) def. Joe Delinks/Mitch Thams (UCF) 8-3
2. Adam Lee/Danny Kreyman (WF) def. Eugene Dolgovykh/Erik Brunskog (UCF) 8-1
3. Matthew Gladstone/Mario Samson (UCF) def. Conner Sherwood/Alex Tsai (WF) 8-7