The Oregon men’s tennis team saw its final home match of the regular season end in a 5-2 loss against the Washington Huskies on Saturday.
Despite a strong start on Senior Day, the Ducks took only the No. 6 singles match when junior Sho Higuchi defeated Max Manthou 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7).
Oregon did have more success in doubles competition, however, as freshmen Alex Rovello and Robin Cambier defeated Washington’s 25th-ranked doubles tandem of Kyle McMorrow and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, 8-6, in what was tabbed one of the biggest victories of the year for the two newcomers.
In No. 2 doubles play, Oregon’s lone senior Duncan MacDonald-Korth and sophomore partner Aaron Clissold defeated Martin Kildahl and Tobi Obenaus 8-5.
With the duos tied at 5-5, the Ducks won Clissold’s service game and then picked up a key break that allowed MacDonald-Korth to serve his final home doubles match.
The Miami, Fla., native helped Oregon secure the victory with four straight points, which gave the Ducks an early lead heading into singles play. That lead didn’t last, as Oregon’s top four singles players went down in two sets, before No. 5 man Clissold extended his matchup with Marton Bots to three sets before losing.
Looking ahead, the Ducks will be back in action for the Pacific-10 Conference Championship in Ojai, Calif., which will be held April 28 through May 1.
[email protected]