Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Rice
Tigers Top Rice, Auburn to Wrap Play in Alabama
February 24, 2018 | Men's Tennis
Closing the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic with a pair of wins Saturday, the Princeton men's tennis team beat Rice and Auburn to win their consolation semifinal and final matches, both by 4-1 scores.
"For the second week in a row, we wrapped up the last day of a tournament with a great performance," Princeton coach Billy Pate said, referring to the Tigers' third-place finish at the ECAC Championship last weekend. "I'm proud of how the guys fought and kept their intensity throughout the day to register two solid wins. We'll look forward to playing a series of matches at home over the next two weeks."
Princeton began the Rice match Friday with a doubles-point win, with Davey Roberts and Ben Tso tying the battle for the doubles point with a win on court three before Luke Gamble and Damian Rodriguez clinched it on court one.
Kabir Sarita began Saturday's singles play against the Owls by yielding only a game on court six before Ryan Seggerman put Princeton up 3-0 with a straight-set win on court two. After a Rice win on court one, Payton Holden closed out a straight-set win on court five to deliver the clincher.
Against Auburn, Princeton again took the doubles point, with Holden and Seggerman on two and Gamble and Rodriguez on one answering an Auburn win on court three. Kial Kaiser then pushed the Tiger lead to 2-0 with a straight-set win over an ITA-ranked opponent, No. 123 Edward Nguyen, before Roberts answered an Auburn win on court three with a straight-set win on court five. Gamble then had the winner in straight sets on court four.
Princeton will compete at home for the first time since Jan. 28 with five matches over the next two weekends. Binghamton will visit Jadwin Gym Saturday with Charlotte and Western Michigan coming in Sunday.
Princeton 4, Rice 1
Doubles (played Friday)
1. Gamble/Damian Rodriguez (Princeton) def. Rutledge/Sarkar (Rice), 7-5
2. Eskeland/Russell (Rice) def. Holden/Seggerman (Princeton), 6-3
3. Roberts/Ben Tso (Princeton) def. Abdel-Aziz/Austin Moninger (Rice), 6-4
Singles
1. Eric Rutledge (Rice) def. Kial Kaiser (Princeton), 6-3, 6-2
2. Ryan Seggerman (Princeton) def. Sumit Sarkar (Rice), 6-3, 7-5
3. Jacob Eskeland (Rice) vs. Luke Gamble (Princeton), 7-6, 3-4, unfinished
4. Mohamed Abdel-Aziz (Rice) vs. Davey Roberts (Princeton), 6-2, 4-6, 1-2, unfinished
5. Payton Holden (Princeton) def. Conrad Russell (Rice), 7-5, 6-4
6. Kabir Sarita (Princeton) def. Ashton Duke (Rice), 6-1, 6-0
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (6,2,1,5)
Princeton 4, Auburn 1
Doubles
1. Gamble/Rodriguez (Princeton) def. Matteo De Vincentis/Nguyen (Auburn), 6-4
2. Payton Holden/Seggerman (Princeton) def. Maclean/Thestrup (Auburn), 6-4
3. Diego Chavarria/Sarrio (Auburn) def. Kaiser/Diego Vives (Princeton), 6-2
Singles
1. Kial Kaiser (Princeton) def. #123 Edward Nguyen (Auburn), 6-2, 6-2
2. Ryan Seggerman (Princeton) vs. Olle Thestrup (Auburn), 7-5, 3-6, 3-0, unfinished
3. Carles Sarrio (Auburn) def. Damian Rodriguez (Princeton), 6-2, 6-4
4. Luke Gamble (Princeton) def. Tad Maclean (Auburn), 6-3, 7-6
5. Davey Roberts (Princeton) def. Brandon Laubser (Auburn), 6-2, 6-3
6. Kabir Sarita (Princeton) vs. Lorenzo Rodriguez (Auburn), 2-6, 7-5, 3-0, unfinished
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (1,3,5,4)
Players Mentioned
