Wake Forest University
Virginia Tech
Deacs Sweep Hokies in ACC Opener
3/16/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMTennis)
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The top-ranked Wake Forest men's tennis team cruised in it's ACC opener Friday (March 16) afternoon, sweeping Virginia Tech 7-0 at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center.
Despite missing two of its top players, Wake Forest (10-0, 1-0 ACC) had no trouble dispatching Virginia Tech (9-4, 0-3 ACC). Junior Petros Chrysochos was in the quarterfinals of the Irving Tennis Classic (ATP Challenger Tour) while sophomore Borna Gojo was in the quarterfinals of the Bakersfield Tennis Open (ITF Futures Pro Circuit).
The revamped lineup wasted little time claiming the doubles point, as Alan Gadjiev and Skander Mansouri opened with a 6-2 victory at the No. 2 slot. Moments later, Ian Dempster and Christian Seraphim clinched the point with a 6-3 decision in the top spot.
Gadjiev, competing at the No. 4 singles spot, put the Deacs ahead 2-0 with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Henrik Korsgaard. Yuval Solomon, ranked 98th nationally, put the Deacs one point from clinching with a 6-3, 6-3 triumph at the No. 6 spot.
Mansouri, competing in the No. 1 position for the first time this season, sealed the victory for Wake Forest with a three-set decision over No. 45 Mitch Harper. After taking the first set, 6-4, the 34th-ranked Mansouri was forced to a third set, which he ultimately won, 6-2.
With the match in hand, the Demon Deacons closed out the remaining three courts to complete the sweep. Rrezart Cungu (6-1, 2-6, 6-3), Julian Zlobinsky (4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4)) and Eduardo Nava (6-7(5), 7-6(4), 6-0) notched victories at the No. 3, 2 and 6 spots, respectively. It was the first time Zlobinsky competed at the No. 2 spot this year and the redshirt junior improved to a perfect 6-0 this spring in dual matches.
The Deacs return home for a Sunday, March 18, contest against No. 11 USC. Wake Forest battled the Trojans back in the second round of the ITA National Team Indoor Championship, claiming a 4-1 victory on Feb. 17. First serve at the Wake Forest Tennis Center on Sunday is set for 1 p.m.
#1 Wake Forest 7, Virginia Tech 0
Singles Results
1. #34 Skander Mansouri (WF) def. #45 Mitch Harper (VT) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
2. Julian Zlobinsky (WF) def. Jason Kros (VT) 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4)
3. Rrezart Cungu (WF) def. Alex Ribeiro (VT) 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
4. Alan Gadjiev (WF) def. Henrik Korsgaard (VT) 7-5, 6-1
5. Eduardo Nava (WF) def. Carlo Donato (VT) 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 6-0
6. #98 Yuval Solomon (WF) def. Chase Bernstine (VT) 6-3, 6-3
Order of finish: 4,6,1,3,2,5
Doubles Results
1. Dempster/Seraphim (WF) def. Korsgaard/Ribeiro (VT) 6-3
2. Gadjiev/Mansouri (WF) def. Donato/Harper (VT) 6-2
3. J. Kros/Mesmer (VT) vs. Bar Botzer/Zlobinsky (WF) 4-4 UF
Order of finish: 2,1
Players Mentioned
