USU men’s tennis loses 5-2 against Nevada at home
The USU men’s tennis team lost against conference opponent Nevada in Logan Saturday morning by a score of 5-2. With the loss, the Aggies’ record dropped to 2-8, while the Wolfpack improved to 2-4 on the season.
“The competition is tough, and everyone needs to play their best to win,” Aggie freshman Jakob Asplund said.
He played in the No. 1 singles spot and had earned a 4-1 lead in the first set but eventually lost the match to Nevada sophomore Laurent Garcin 7-5, 6-2.
“I got a bit stiff, and he got better and better,” Asplund said after the comeback. “I had my chances, but he controlled the tempo.”
The two USU winners on the day were sophomore Oscar Ericsson in the No. 2 spot and senior Fernando Gallegos in the No. 3 spot. Ericsson defeated his opponent, Nevada junior Benjamin David, in convincing fashion with a score of 6-2, 6-0. There was a moment of disagreement, however, early in the second set when a dispute over a match point halted the game for several minutes as the two players, along with coaches and officials, argued about the rules at the net. Ericsson was given the win and later explained that it was the second time that match David didn’t agree with the score.
“He was already upset,” Ericsson said. “He was just a bit off today.”
When second set had finished, the two met at the net and shook hands per tennis etiquette. The handshake wasn’t satisfactory in the eyes of Nevada head coach Chad Stoloff, who was watching from the balcony and immediately ordered David to approach Ericsson again and reshake his hand.
Gallegos also won in two sets outlasting Nevada’s Augustin Myard 6-2, 6-2.
After his match, Gallegos said, “The key against him was staying calm. He likes hitting the ball and lost his mind during the first set. That was an advantage for me.”
In other singles action, Aggie senior Jonas Tyden lost in three sets at the No. 4 spot, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1. Matt Searle and Matt Braithwaite ended the day’s events with losses for the Aggies.
Nevada bested Utah State in doubles competition as well, winning two of three matches. Tyden and Asplund won their match against David and Guerin Smith 8-5 in the double No. 1 match, but the duo of Ericsson and Gallegos fell 8-2 to Garcin and Myard. Braithwaite and Searle also came up short in their doubles match, losing 8-3.
Men’s tennis will next face Idaho State in Pocatello on Tuesday, Feb. 26, after which they’re back home that Friday against Weber State at the Sports Academy and Racquet Club in Logan.
-m.b.a@aggiemail.usu.edu