USC
Pepperdine
No. 2 USC Men Ride Waves To Victory
February 11, 2011 | Men's Tennis
Feb. 11, 2011
LOS ANGELES - The No. 2 USC men's tennis team faced a tough test on Friday afternoon at Marks Stadium but eventually willed its way to a 5-2 win over the No. 20 Pepperdine Waves. After dropping the doubles point to start the match, the Trojans were able to pull out wins in five of six singles matches to secure the victory. USC improves to 7-0 overall for the season.
Things got off to a rocky start for the Trojans in doubles play as the team of Jaak Poldma and JT Sundling fell to Fanselow/Turner 8-3 from the No. 3 slot. The situation worsened as Emilio Gomez and Daniel Nguyen lost to Lompart/Moreno 8-6 on court two to secure the doubles point for the Waves. With the point already decided the tandem of Steve Johnson and Ray Sarmiento looked to spark the rest of the squad and were able defeat #35 Clark/Tearney 9-7 in a highly contested match.
Despite the doubles loss, the Men of Troy came out strong to start singles play as #18 Daniel Nguyen knocked off #40 Alex Llompart in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 from the No. 3 slot. Freshman Emilio Gomez followed suit as he played through a shoulder injury and came back from a 3-1 deficit in the second set to win 6-3, 6-3 on court six. USC continued to roll as #6 Steve Johnson beat #112 Finn Tearney 6-1, 6-4 with an ace down the line to notch the Trojans third point on center court.
Pepperdine jumped back into the action as Mousheg Hovhannisyan took down #84 Peter Lucassen in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 from the No. 5 position. The Waves cut the USC's lead to 3-2 but would get no closer.
In a tremendous match on court two that pushed each player to the limit, #94 Jaak Poldma was able to upset #14 Sebastian Fanselow 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) as he won the second set tiebreak and secured the team win for the Trojans. With the victory already decided, Ray Sarmiento continued to battle on court four in the day's longest match. Sarmiento executed numerous drop shots and controlled the net to defeat Alfredo Moreno 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in what came very close to being the deciding match of the contest.
USC returns to action at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships Feb. 18-21.
#2 USC 5, #20 Pepperdine 2
Feb. 11, 2011 - Marks Stadium
Doubles
(1.) Johnson/Sarmiento (USC) def. #35 Clarke/Tearney --- 9-7
(2.) Llompart/Moreno (PEP) def. Gomez/Nguyen (USC) --- 8-6
(3.) Fanselow/Turner (PEP) def. Poldma/Sundling (USC) --- 8-3
Pepperdine wins doubles point.
Order of finish: 3, 2, 1
Singles
(1.) #6 Steve Johnson (USC) def. #112 Finn Tearney (PEP) 6-1, 6-4
(2.) #94 Jaak Poldma (USC) def. #14 Sebastian Fanselow (PEP) 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)
(3.) #18 Daniel Nguyen (USC) def. #40 Alex Llompart (PEP) 6-2, 6-2
(4.) #91 Ray Sarmiento (USC) def. Alfredo Moreno (PEP) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
(5.) Mousheg Hovhannisyan (PEP) def. #84 Peter Lucassen (USC) 6-4, 6-4
(6.) Emilio Gomez (USC) def. Hugh Clarke (PEP) 6-3, 6-3
Order of finish: 3, 6, 1, 5, 2*, 4
Players Mentioned
