Arizona closed out its weekend play at the LaNelleRobsonTennisCenter on Sunday with a 6-1 win over visiting Saint Mary's College, moving the Cats to 11-8 on the season.
“This was a great win for us,” head coach Tad Berkwoitz said. “It shows our maturity as team, to have a quick turnaround after a tough loss, to come out and beat a good Saint Mary's team. It's a great way to end our non-conference schedule and start our conference play.”
Arizona got off to a fast start, as Naoki Takeda and Sumeet Shinde won the first match of doubles beating Joakim Norstrom and Will Martin, 8-4 at the No. 1 position. Senior Kieren Thompson and Trevor James then clinched the doubles point for Arizona at the No. 3 spot beating Tuomas Manner and James Mickiewicz, 8-6.
In singles, Shinde took a victory over Sam Bloore, 6-1, 6-0 at the No. 3 position.
“It feels great to get the win,” Shinde said, “especially since I haven't played my best tennis the past two matches.”
At the No. 1 spot, Thompson took out opponent Joakim Norstrom, 6-4, 6-4.
Urquidi fell, 6-2, 7-6, (7-4) at the No. 4 position, but Takeda clinched an Arizona victory with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Tuomas Manner at the No. 2.
Will Kneale then bumped up the Wildcat lead to 5-1 with a 7-6, 6-4 win over Mathias Olsen on court five.
Trevor James finished the day with a victory at the No. 6 spot, defeating Wil Martin, 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (3).
The Wildcats open conference play Friday, March 28 when they welcome California at 1:30 P.M. at the LaNelleRobsonTennisCenter.
For continued coverage of Arizona men's tennis, visit ArizonaWildcats.com, follow @ArizonaMTennis on Twitter and Instagram, and on Facebook at facebook.com/ArizonaMensTennis.
Doubles
No. 1 Takeda Shinde (UA) def. Norstrom/Martin (SM), 8-4
No. 2 Dunn/Urquidi (UA) vs. Hunt/Bloore (SM), DNF
No. 3 Thompson/James (UA) def. Manner/Markiewicz (SM), 8-6
Singles
No. 1 Kieren Thompson (UA) def. Joakim Norstrom (SM); 6-4, 6-4
No. 2 Naoki Takeda (UA) def. Tuomas Manner (SM); 6-2, 6-3
No. 3 Sumeet Shinde (UA) def. Sam Bloore (SM); 6-1, 6-0
No. 4 Alex Hunt (SM) def. Mario Urquidi (UA); 6-2, 7-6 (4)
No. 5 Will Kneade (UA) def. Mathias Olsen (SM); 7-6, 6-4
No. 6 Trevor James (UA) def. Wil Martin (SM); 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (3)
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 3); Singles (3, 1, 4, 2, 5, 6)
