FRESNO, Calif.--- Arizona dominated from start to finish, as the Wildcats never trailed on their way to a convincing 5-2 victory over Navy, Wednesday afternoon out at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center in Fresno, California.
For Arizona (7-9) the win marked its second neutral site win of the season, while it also was the fifth time the Cats have pulled off a victory by three points or more on the year.
“It's always nice to get a win on the first match of a long road trip,” said head coach Tad Berkowitz. “Navy played a tough match today and our guys responded well.”
The Wildcats jumped in front early in doubles play, as Naoki Takeda and Sumeet Shinde defeated Calvin Mark and Thomas Pecor 6-2 on court one, while Jason Jaruvang and Matt Dunn shutout Blake Daniel and Tyler Tossavainen 6-0 on court three to win the doubles and spot Arizona a 1-0 lead.
Shoki Kasahara and David Mushayev led Tucker Massie and Aries Wong 5-2 on court two before the match was called due to UA already clinching the point.
The Cats kept their foot on the gas in singles action, as Trevor James (5-6, 3-5 Dual) quickly took down Massie in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2 on court six to put UA in front 2-0.
Kasahara (14-14, 7-8 Dual) then put Arizona on the brink, as he blew by Krishna Jana 6-4, 6-3 from the No. 5 spot, giving the Cats a 3-0 lead.
However Navy (13-6) managed to avoid the sweep, as Walker Sims defeated Jason Jaruvang (12-12, 6-8 Dual) 6-3, 6-4 on court three to close the gap to 3-1, but moments later No. 45 Takeda (20-4, 12-1 Dual) proved why he's one of the best players in the country, as he battled from behind to take down Mark 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 from the No. 1 spot to clinch his 20th win of the season and the match for Arizona.
The Wildcats tallied another victory on court two, as No. 118 Shinde (8-5, 8-5 Dual) also rallied to grind out a 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 win over Pecor.
Will Kneale (1-2, 1-2 Dual) nearly grabbed he second straight victory, but lost a tough 6-3, 4-6, 10-5 match to Wong on court four.
Arizona looks to start another win streak, as it'll clash with Fresno State, tomorrow at 11 am PST out at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center.
Arizona 5 (7-9), Navy 2 (13-6)
SINGLES
1. #45 Naoki Takeda (UA) def. Calvin Mark (Navy) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
2. #118 Sumeet Shinde (UA) def. Thomas Pecor (Navy) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
3. Walker Sims (Navy) def. Jason Jaruvang (UA) 6-3, 6-4
4. Aries Wong (Navy) def. Will Kneale (UA) 6-3, 4-6, 10-5
5. Shoki Kasahara (UA) def. Krishna Jana (Navy) 6-4, 6-3
6. Trevor James (UA) def. Tucker Massie (Navy) 6-4, 6-2
Order of Finish: 6,5,3,1*,4,2
*Clinching point
DOUBLES
1. Sumeet Shinde/Naoki Takeda (UA) def. Calvin Mark/Thomas Pecor (Navy) 6-2
2. Shoki Kasahara/David Mushayev (UA) vs. Tucker Massie/Aries Wong (Navy) 5-2, unfinished
3. Jason Jaruvang/Matt Dunn (UA) def. Blake Daniel/Tyler Tossavainen (Navy) 6-0
Order of Finish: 1,3
