TCU Tennis Loses To Texas Tech
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FORT WORTH, Texas – The TCU men’s tennis team claimed the doubles point and battled to a third set in half of the singles matches, but dropped a 5-2 decision to Texas Tech Saturday in front of more than 400 fans inside the indoor complex at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center.
“We have been struggling in doubles, so it felt great to jump out and get the doubles point,” TCU head coach David Roditi said. “We changed our entire lineup and it worked out. I thought Nick and Paul did an unbelievable job of coming back in their match against an experienced team to win the doubles point. I’m proud of our guys for fighting back in singles. It was a great win for Nick Chappell against one of the best players in college today. He is starting to show his potential and really did well today. The score doesn’t show how close this match was and I think the day just came down for a couple of points in a couple of matches.”
TCU (2-4) got off to a great start in doubles, rallying to earn wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions and clinch the doubles point. Senior Daniel Sanchez and sophomore Max Stevens picked up an 8-4 victory at the bottom court over Tech’s team of Raphael Pfister and Gabriel Wanderley.
After TTU evened things with a win at No. 1, it was up to the TCU tandem of Nick and Paul Chappell to seal the deal. After battling through an eight-game pro set, the two pairings found themselves deadlocked at 8-8 and would have to settle things in tiebreaking fashion. In the end, the Frogs’ duo claimed the final
three points to take the match, 9-8 (5).
The Red Raiders bounced back quickly to even the team tally at 1-1 in the singles portion, as No. 23 Gonzalo Escobar earned a 6-3, 6-2 straight-set victory over TCU junior JT Sundling at the No. 2 position.
Freshman Nick Chappell put the Purple and White back on top with a thrilling match at the top court. The Indianapolis, Ind., product had to break TTU’s Raony Carvalho to earn the 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory and give TCU the 2-1 advantage.
Texas Tech countered with a pair of three-set wins at the Nos. 3 and 4 courts as Rafael Garcia defeated Sanchez, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and Vitor Manzini earned a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 against TCU freshman Facundo Lugones, respectively. In the end, TTU’s Francisco Zambon dismissed Paul Chappell at the No. 5 court in straight sets to clinch the team win.
The Frog will have to rebound quickly, hosting No. 49 Santa Clara Sunday at the indoor complex of the Friedman Tennis Center. First serve is set for 11:30 a.m.
