LOS ANGELES---- Sophomore Jose Zamorano collected his first career victory, but it wasn't enough as a short-handed Arizona squad dropped a 6-1 decision to No. 7 USC, Saturday out at Marks Stadium in Los Angeles.
For the fourth straight match, the Wildcats (8-15, 0-4 Pac-12) were without one of their best players in No. 53 Naoki Takeda, as he sat out due to injury, but UA still competed until the very end.
No. 7 USC (18-3, 4-0 Pac-12) proved why it's considered one of the best teams in the country early on in doubles play. Johnny Wang and Eric Johnson teamed up to defeat David Mushayev and Jose Zamorano 6-0 on court two, before the No. 3 tandem in the country in Yannick Hanfmann and Roberto Quiroz managed to get by Sumeet Shinde and Travor James on court one, 6-1, to clinch the doubles point.
With UA trailing 1-0, No. 114 Eric Johnson got by Sumeet Shinde 6-1, 6-1 on court one to make it a 2-0 Trojan advantage.
No. 19 Roberto Quiroz then earned a 6-2, 6-0 victory over David Mushayev from the No. 2 position to extend the lead to 3-0. No. 66 Max de Vroome then earned a hard-fought 7-5, 6-3 victory over Jason Jaruvang to clinch the win for the Trojans.
However, Arizona didn't go down easily, as it nearly claimed back-to-back victories on courts five and six.
Jose Zamorano grinded out at a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Tanner Smith from the No. 6 spot, while Trevor James nearly pulled off an upset of No. 68 Nick Crystal, as he dropped a tough three-set affair, 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 on court five.
The Wildcats now return home to play their final home matches of the year, as they'll take on No. 51 Oregon, Friday at 11:30 am PT.
#7 Southern California 6, Arizona 1
SINGLES
1. #114 Eric Johnson (USC) def. Sumeet Shinde (ARIZM) 6-1, 6-1
2. #19 Roberto Quiroz (USC) def. David Mushayev (ARIZM) 6-2, 6-0
3. #66 Max de Vroome (USC) def. Jason Jaruvang (ARIZM) 7-5, 6-3
4. #35 Jonny Wang (USC) def. Will Kneale (ARIZM) 7-5, 6-2
5. #68 Nick Crystal (USC) def. Trevor James (ARIZM) 2-6, 6-1, 6-3
6. Jose Zamorano (ARIZM) def. Tanner Smith (USC) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
Order of Finish: 1,2,3*,4,6,5
*Clinching point
DOUBLES
1. #3 Yannick Hanfmann/Roberto Quiroz (USC) def. Sumeet Shinde/Trevor James (ARIZM) 6-1
2. Jonny Wang/Eric Johnson (USC) def. David Mushayev/Jose Zamorano (ARIZM) 6-0
3. Max de Vroome/Thibault Forget (USC) vs. Jason Jaruvang/Matt Dunn (ARIZM) 5-2, unfinished
Order of Finish: 2,1
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