Saturday, April 10
Toledo, OH
10 a.m.
Ball State University
4
at
3
University of Toledo
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Smith’s Three Set Thriller Completes Men’s Tennis 4-3 Comeback At Toledo
April 10, 2021 | Men's Tennis
TOLEDO, Ohio - The Cardinals continue to prevail this spring which became very apparent today, after Ball State earned a 4-3 come from behind victory at Toledo Saturday afternoon at the UT Varsity Courts.
Despite starting the match off slow, Ball State (15-3, 4-2 MAC) fought its way back into the competition by taking four of the six singles matches from the Rockets (6-6, 2-4 MAC).
After Toledo won the doubles point, the Cardinals were in need of a little confidence boost which came from Danilo Kovacevic after his straight set (6-4, 6-4) take down over the Rockets Thawin Suksathaporn at the No. 2 slot.
Eli Herran played off of Kovacevic's success and would beat UT's No. 5 singles player Luis Kleinschnitz 6-4, 6-2 to give BSU its first 2-1 lead of the match.
Toledo then grabbed victories on courts three and six to take back a 3-2 advantage over the Cardinals.
But veteran Thibault de Negri answered on court one, taking the first and second frames from Cole Shoults by a score of 7-6 to tie the contest, 3-3.
With only one match remaining, the win would fall into the hands of newcomer Sajin Smith who was in his third set against Adam Kovac on court four. Smith had taking the first frame 6-3 but then dropped set two, 4-6. Fortunately for the Cardinals, Smith came out on top in the third frame by a 6-4 decision to clinch the victory for Ball State.
The Ball State men's tennis team continues Mid-American Conference action on the road when it travels to rival Western Michigan on Friday, April 16 for a 2 p.m. ET first serve at Sorensen Courts, weather permitting. If the match were to be moved indoors the Cardinals would face the Broncos at West Hills Athletic Club.
Despite starting the match off slow, Ball State (15-3, 4-2 MAC) fought its way back into the competition by taking four of the six singles matches from the Rockets (6-6, 2-4 MAC).
After Toledo won the doubles point, the Cardinals were in need of a little confidence boost which came from Danilo Kovacevic after his straight set (6-4, 6-4) take down over the Rockets Thawin Suksathaporn at the No. 2 slot.
Eli Herran played off of Kovacevic's success and would beat UT's No. 5 singles player Luis Kleinschnitz 6-4, 6-2 to give BSU its first 2-1 lead of the match.
Toledo then grabbed victories on courts three and six to take back a 3-2 advantage over the Cardinals.
But veteran Thibault de Negri answered on court one, taking the first and second frames from Cole Shoults by a score of 7-6 to tie the contest, 3-3.
With only one match remaining, the win would fall into the hands of newcomer Sajin Smith who was in his third set against Adam Kovac on court four. Smith had taking the first frame 6-3 but then dropped set two, 4-6. Fortunately for the Cardinals, Smith came out on top in the third frame by a 6-4 decision to clinch the victory for Ball State.
The Ball State men's tennis team continues Mid-American Conference action on the road when it travels to rival Western Michigan on Friday, April 16 for a 2 p.m. ET first serve at Sorensen Courts, weather permitting. If the match were to be moved indoors the Cardinals would face the Broncos at West Hills Athletic Club.
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Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1,2
#1 Singles Match
12
77
Cole Shoults / 0 [TOLEDO]
66
#2 Singles Match
12
66
Thawin Suksathaporn / 0 [TOLEDO]
44
#3 Singles Match
12
14
Krysztof Wetoszka / 0 [TOLEDO]
66
#4 Singles Match
123
646
Adam Kovac / 0 [TOLEDO]
364
#5 Singles Match
12
66
Luis Kleinschnitz / 0 [TOLEDO]
42
#6 Singles Match
123
650
Wojciech Szczesny / 0 [TOLEDO]
46WD
Order of Finish:
2,5,3,6,1,4
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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