The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Tennis Edges Samford 4-3
2/13/2002 12:00:00β―AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 13, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB men's tennis team narrowly escaped with a win Wednesday afternoon as Andre van der Merwe captured the game winning point in UAB's 4-3 win over Samford.
Samford came out strong early in the match capturing the doubles point, winning matches at the No. 1 and No. 3 spots. George Dubrava and van der Merwe came out with UAB's only doubles win as they defeated Colin Thompson and Travis Johnson 8-3.
After losing the first point, the Blazers came out fighting in singles play. Of the next five matches, the Blazers took three points at the No. 3, No.4 and No. 5 spots, while Samford grabbed two at the No. 2 and No.6 positions to tie the score at three all.
For the Blazers, Alex Jung defeated Chuck Haddox 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 3 spot, Sanzaruz Zaman defeated Colin Thompson 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 4 position and Ruben Zrihen defeated Travis Johnson 6-1, 6-3 at the No. 5 spot.
Tied 3-3, the match came down to the players in the No. 1 spot. UAB's van der Merwe came out on top with a 3-6, 7-6, 6-3 win over Samford's David Misner to clinch the 4-3 victory for UAB.
With the win, UAB improved to 1-1 on the season, while Samford dropped to 3-4 on the season.
UAB opens its home slate this Saturday with a match against Tennessee-Chattanooga. The Blazers will play at the Brook Highland Racquet Club with first serve set for 2 p.m. The match will follow the UAB tennis team's 11 a.m. match against Central Florida.
Results: UAB (1-1) 4, Samford (3-4) 3
Singles:
#1. Andre van der Merwe (UAB) def. David Misner (SU) 3-6, 7-6, 6-3
#2. Raphael Bohli (SU) def. George Dubrava (UAB) 7-5, 6-3
#3. Alex Jung (UAB) def. Chuck Haddox (SU) 6-1, 6-1
#4. Sanzaruz Zaman (UAB) def. Colin Thompson (SU) 6-2, 6-2
#5. Ruben Zrihen (UAB) def. Travis Johnson (SU) 6-1, 6-3
#6. Andres Leal (SU) def. Rusty Walker (UAB) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles:
#1. Misner/Bohli (SU) def. Zaman/ Ivan Andreev (UAB) 8-5
#2. Dubrava/van der Merwe (UAB) def. Thompson/Johnson (SU) 8-3
#3. Haddox/Leal (SU) def. Jung/Zrihen (UAB) 8-6
