PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Western New Mexico University men’s tennis team opened their spring schedule Saturday at Division I Grand Canyon University with the Lopes claiming the 7-0 victory.
In doubles play, Juan Pablo Fuentes (Guadalajara, Mexico) and Jean-Laurent Pageault (Perrigny, France/Academi des Hauts de Nimes) came close at the top flight falling, 7-5. The combo of Alvaro Nunez (Madrid, Spain) and Vladimir Gnilozubov (Kazakhstan, Astana/Kazakhstan) also had a solid run at No. 3 before falling, 7-6. Omar Lopez (Naucalpan, Mexico) and Tristan Da Lio (Casablanca/Academie des Hauts de Nimes) lost at No. 2, 6-0. Doubles count for just one total point at Division I level.
In singles, Fuentes came close to winning his first set at No. 1 taking it to a tiebreaker before falling in straight sets, 7-6, 6-1. Da Lio had a solid battle at No. 3, winning seven games and coming close in the opening set before a 7-5, 6-2 setback. Gnilozubov tallied seven games at No. 4 before a 6-3, 6-4 loss. Pageault dropped his opening set, 6-1, and then came back to almost win the second before a 6-4 setback. Nunez at No. 5 and Lopez at No.6 fell by the same scores of 6-1, 6-3.
WNMU will return to action on Feb. 18 against Point Loma Nazarene University at 2 p.m. Pacific Time.
