Nov. 3, 2011
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Competing in its final tournament of the fall season, the Notre Dame men’s tennis team picked up five singles wins on day one of the Gopher Invitational held at Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis.
Competing against the host Gophers, the Irish picked up five singles victories, with four coming in straight sets. Winning in straight sets were sophomore Greg Andrews (6-2, 6-4), seniors Samuel Keeton (7-6, 6-4) and Niall Fitzgerald (6-4, 7-5) and junior Blas Moros (6-2, 6-1). Sophomore Billy Pecor picked up the fifth victory, winning a three setter over Mathieu Froment, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6.
Minnesota, who ended the 2011 season ranked 23rd, won three matches. Leandro Toledo knocked off senior Casey Watt in a tight three setter. Toledo claimed the first set, 6-3, before Watt rebounded to win a close set two, 7-6 (5). Set three was another tight one with Watt having three opportunities to close out the match, before Toledo claimed the set and match, 7-6 (4).
In other action, Michael Sicora topped freshman Wyatt McCoy in three sets, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, and Juan Pablo Ramirez took down junior Michael Moore, 6-4, 6-3.
“We had a pretty good day against a strong team,” said head coach Bobby Bayliss. “We were close in every match that we lost, and Casey (Watt) had three match points and just couldn’t quite get over the hump.”
The Irish return to action tomorrow at 9 a.m. Fans can watch live video of each court here.
Complete Results
Toledo d. Watt – 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4)
Andrews d. Arndt – 6-2, 6-4
Keeton d. Dehn – 7-6, 6-4
Fitzgerald d. Ruddock – 6-4, 7-5
Pecor d. Froment – 6-3, 4-6, 7-6
Sicora d. McCoy – 6-7, 6-4, 6-4
Ramirez d. Moore – 6-4, 6-3
Moros d. Fueh – 6-2, 6-1
–ND–