Mississippi State
Princeton
No. 30 Bulldog Tennis Set Back By No. 50 Princeton At Blue Gray
February 21, 2015 | Men's Tennis
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a match that went down to the wire, the 30th-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-3) were upset by the No. 50 Princeton Tigers, 4-3, to end day one at the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic Friday.
The Friday afternoon contest was a back-and-forth affair that was settled in a three-set match on court four. The loss is the first in program history against Princeton for the Bulldogs, dropping their all-time record to 2-1.
State started off on the right foot, jumping out in front with the doubles point thanks to victories on courts two and three. The Bulldog tandem of Julian Cash and Robin Haden struck first, defeating PU's Ben Tso and Joshua Yablon 6-1 at the No. 3 position. MSU's No. 48 duo of Mate Cutura and Tassilo Schmid clinched the point for State, downing the Tiger team of Alexander Day and Luke Gamble 6-2 on court two.
Play was suspended on court one at the clinch, with Princeton's team of Thomas Colautti and Zack McCourt leading MSU's Juan Cruz Estevarena and Florian Lakat 5-3.
Singles play proved to be thrilling, with each team trading punches from start to finish. Princeton made the first move, as Dan Richardson defeated MSU's Rishab Agarwal 6-1, 6-2 on court six to tie the match at 1-1.
Making his singles debut in dual match play, State's Cash picked up a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory against PU's Gamble on court five to push MSU back in front for the match, 2-1. However, Princeton would once again respond, this time on court two. The Tigers' Colautti defeated MSU's No. 99 Estevarena 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 to even the match at 2-2.
The Tigers would take their first lead of the contest thanks to a three-set victory on court one from McCourt, defeating MSU's No. 97 Lakat 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. State would immediately strike back thanks to the solid play of the senior Schmid, ranked 84th nationally. Despite being forced to a third set, Schmid would not relent, defeating PU's Yablon 6-1, 1-6, 7-6(3).
The match would then come down to court four, where MSU's Cutura and PU's Day entered a deciding third set. After being broken early, Cutura would break back to even the set at 2-2. Day would fire back with another break, leading to another later break that would seal the match, as Cutura fell 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-2.
MSU will now face No. 49 Alabama on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. CT in the first round of consolation play.
For more information on Mississippi State men's tennis and updates, fans can follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at HailStateMT.
No. 50 Princeton 4, No. 30 Mississippi State 3
February 20, 2014 – O'Connor Tennis Center – Montgomery, Ala.
Doubles
1. Thomas Colautti/Zack McCourt (PU) vs. Juan Cruz Estevarena/Florian Lakat (MSU) 5-3(susp.)
2. No. T-48 Mate Cutura/Tassilo Schmid (MSU) def. Alexander Day/Luke Gamble (PU) 6-2
3. Julian Cash/Robin Haden (MSU) def. Ben Tso/Joshua Yablon (PU) 6-1
Singles
1. McCourt (PU) def. No. 97 Lakat (MSU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
2. Colautti (PU) def. No. 99 Estevarena (MSU) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
3. No. 84 Schmid (MSU) def. Yablon (PU) 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3)
4. Day (PU) def. Cutura (MSU) 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-2
5. Cash (MSU) def. Gamble (PU) 7-6(4), 6-4
6. Dan Richardson (PU) def. Rishab Agarwal (MSU) 6-1, 6-2
Order of finish… Doubles (3,2)… Singles (6,5,2,1,3,4)
Players Mentioned
