Jan. 29, 2016
Related: Final Stats
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF men's tennis team came up short in the first road match of the season. The Knights dropped a 5-2 decision to Miami at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center on Friday.
"The doubles matches were close, but unfortunately we lost some key points to go 0-1," sophomore Nico De Fraia said. "In my opinion, that had a big impact on some singles matches as well. Overall, we are getting better and better, and we are ready to have a great match on Sunday against FAU."
Miami jumped out to an early lead with a 6-0 win at No. 2 doubles. Junior Inaki Espindola and freshman Jack Thiessen matched Christian Langmo and Jesse Flores point-for-point but the Hurricane duo rallied to take the 7-5 win and earn the doubles point for Miami.
The Hurricane jumped out to an early lead in singles action, as Miami claimed the opening set on four courts. Junior Mariano Porter battled for the 7-6 (6) opening set win over Flores at No. 4, while De Fraia earned the 7-6 (5) victory on court six.
Miami extended its lead with wins on courts one and three and clinched the victory with a win at No. 5.
De Fraia tallied the first point for the Knights with a straight set win on court six. He followed his 7-6(5) victory with a 6-2 win over Bernard Tefel.
Porter closed out the day with the second UCF victory. After his 7-6(6) win, he dropped the tiebreaker in the second set, 6-7(11) and claimed the win with a 1-0 victory in the third set.
"I thought I played relaxed," Porter said. "I was concentrating the whole match and the results were in my favor this time. In doubles, we were tied 4-4, but I think that if we could have finished, we would have won that match as well."
UCF (0-2) closes out its first road trip of the season on Sunday. The Knights are at FAU for a noon match at Patch Reef Park.
Miami 5, UCF 2
Singles competition
1. #23 Piotr Lomacki (UM) def. Jose Sangroniz (UCF) 6-2, 6-3
2. #70 Christian Langmo (UM) def. Inaki Espindola (UCF) 6-3, 2-6, 6-1
3. #107 Max Andrews (UM) def. Chris Barrus (UCF) 6-2, 6-1
4. Mariano Porter (UCF) def. Jesse Flores (UM) 7-6 (6), 6-7 (11), 1-0
5. Fermin Calvo (UM) def. Reece Acree (UCF) 6-2, 6-3
6. Nico De Fraia (UCF) def. Bernard Tefel (UM) 7-6 (5), 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Christian Langmo/Jesse Flores (UM) def. Inaki Espindola/Jack Thiessen (UCF) 7-5
2. Piotr Lomacki/Nile Clark (UM) def. Chris Barrus/Jose Sangroniz (UCF) 6-0
3. Max Andrews/Kevin Bondar (UM) vs. Mariano Porter/Nico De Fraia (UCF) 4-4, unfinished
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,1,5,2,6,4)
Story by Megan Herboth; Photos by Brad Helton