Jan. 14, 2018
TEMPE, Ariz. – The No. 7 Texas A&M men's tennis team defeated Arizona State, 6-1, Sunday afternoon at the Whiteman Tennis Center in Tempe, Ariz. The Aggies claimed their second straight season opening win on the road and third straight season opening match overall.
The Maroon & White raced out to an early lead, winning the first two doubles matches to stake themselves to a 1-0 lead. No. 18 Juan Carlos Aguilar and Jordi Arconada were the first pair off the court, topping No. 53 Benjamin Hannestad and Tim Ruehl, 6-4, on court two. The freshman duo of Patrick Kypson and Barnaby Smith clinched the point with a 6-4 win on court three over Andrea Bolla and Thomas Wright.
As play transitioned to singles action, the Aggies maintained momentum by winning five of the six first sets. Arthur Rinderknech doubled the A&M advantage with a 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 44 Hannestad on court two. The Paris, France native claimed his 46th career singles win, to tie AJ Catanzariti for the most among the current team.
Aguilar carried over his impressive play from the doubles court to singles action, topping Pierre Louis Dodens, 6-4, 6-2, on court five. Moments later, Smith clinched the A&M victory with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Will Kirkman on court six.
Kypson made his collegiate debut and impressed with a straight set victory over No. 51 Michael Geerts 6-4, 6-4 to push the Texas A&M advantage to 5-0. Moments later, No. 10 Valentin Vacherot claimed the fifth point of the day for Texas A&M as he defeated Bolla 6-4, 6-2 on court four.
The Sun Devils claimed their lone point in the last match on court, Makey Rakotomalala outlasted No. 41 Arconada 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 on court three.
Texas A&M 6, Arizona State 1
Singles Competition
1. Patrick Kypson (TAMU) def. #51 Michael Geerts (ASU), 6-4, 6-4
2. Arthur Rinderknech (TAMU) def. #44 Benjamin Hannestad (ASU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Makey Rakotomalala (ASU) def. #41 Jordi Arconada (TAMU) 7-6, 2-6, 7-6
4. #10 Valentin Vacherot (TAMU) def. Andrea Bolla (ASU) 6-4, 6-2
5. Juan Carlos Aguilar (TAMU) def. Pierre Louis Dodens (ASU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Barnaby Smith (TAMU) def. Will Kirkman (ASU) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles Competition
1. AJ Catanzariti/Arthur Rinderknech (TAMU) vs. Michael Geerts / Makey Takotomalala (ASU) 6-5, unf.
2. #18 Jordi Arconada / Juan Carlos Aguilar (TAMU) def. #53 Benjamin Hannestad / Tim Ruehl (ASU) 6-4
3. Patrick Kypson / Barnaby Smith (TAMU) def. Andrea Bolla / Thomas Wright (ASU) 6-4