University of Washington
Tulsa
Huskies Resilient in Gutsy 4-3 Win over No. 40 Tulsa
February 15, 2015 | Men's Tennis
SEATTLE – The No. 62 University of Washington men's tennis team battled out a gritty 4-3 win over No. 40 Tulsa Saturday afternoon at the Nordstrom Tennis Center to move their season record to 6-1 and pick up their first win over a ranked opponent of the season.
Doubles action saw three intense matches as every court was tied at 4-4 at one point. Tulsa's court three duo of Juan Matias Gonzalez and Or Ram-Harel were the first to break serve as they ended up defeating Husky freshmen Joao Barra and Mitch Stewart 6-4.
The Golden Hurricane went on to win the doubles point on court two as Viktor Farkas and Wendell Watanabe fell to Matthew Kirby and Dylan McCloskey, 7-5. Emmett Egger and Jeff Hawke were leading at number one doubles, 5-4, when play was stopped.
“Doubles play was a narrow difference, we weren't quite good enough, they deserved it but in my mind we played better and I was very happy about that,” said head coach Matt Anger. “We took the court in singles play knowing we had a job to do and I'm just happy for our guys. We know we're getting better, we know we're improved and we've got young guys but everyone believes in each other and we're going to start moving up.”
The Huskies responded quickly once singles play got started as Gal Hakak evened the score with a fast 6-0, 6-1 decision on court four over Matthew Kirby. Viktor Farkas followed suit picking up a 6-3, 6-2 win at the number five spot over Dylan McCloskey to give UW a 2-1 lead.
Freshman Jake Douglas extended his spring season winning streak to 11 with his win on court three after he posted a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Alejandro Espejo. Out of his seven dual-match wins this season, only one has gone to three sets.
“I know Jake's opponent was very solid today and has been a nationally ranked player and is a senior but I love how Jake is hitting the ball and I believe in him,” said Anger. “When I heard that we got the win in straight sets I was definitely fired up about that because it's another freshman doing a good job.”
With UW holding a 3-1 lead, the final three matches started their third set. The Huskies were edged out in two tough losses as Tulsa picked up a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win on court one over Emmett Egger and a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory on court six over Joao Barra leaving court two as the deciding match.
Freshman Mitch Stewart, who has been ranked as high as 78th nationally this season, claimed the first set 7-5 but Tulsa's freshman Juan Matias Gonzalez responded with a 6-4 win in set two. In the third and final set, Gonzalez and Stewart were battling it out when Gonzalez was forced to retire, giving UW the win.
The Huskies continue their four-match home stead as they host Portland at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20 at the Nordstrom Tennis Center.
#62 Washington 4, #40 Tulsa, 3
Nordstrom Tennis Center
Feb. 14, 2015
Doubles Results (Order of Finish: 3, 2)
1. Egger/Hawke (UW) vs. Espejo/Bautista (Tulsa), 5-4, DNF
2. Kirby/McCloskey (Tulsa) def Farkas/Watanabe (UW), 7-5
3. Gonzalez/Ram-Harel (Tulsa) def. Barra/Stewart, 6-4
Singles Results (Order of Finish: 4, 5, 3, 1, 6, 2)
1. Or Ram-Harel (Tulsa) def. Emmett Egger (UW), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
2. Mitch Stewart (UW) def. Juan Matias Gonzalez (Tulsa), 7-5, 4-6, 5-5, ret. (inj)
3. Jake Douglas (UW) def. Alejandro Espejo (Tulsa), 6-2, 6-4
4. Gal Hakak (UW) def. Matthew Kirby (Tulsa), 6-0, 6-1
5. Viktor Farkas (UW) def. Mitchell Pritchard (Tulsa), 6-3, 6-2
6. Carlos Bautista (Tulsa) def. Joao Barra (UW), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
