Feb. 12, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. -- No. 44 Georgia Tech proved too deep at home, defeating No. 56 Auburn 6-1 in men's tennis Friday at the Ken Byers Tennis Complex in Atlanta.
The Tigers got off to a strong start in doubles, as Auburn's top tandem of senior Marko Krickovic and sophomore Edward Nguyen, ranked this week for the first time at No. 60 nationally, topped another ranked combo with a 6-3 win over Michael Kay and Casey Kay. The Georgia Tech duo was ranked No. 24 nationally.
The other two doubles contests went to tiebreakers. Conner Hertas del Pino and Brandon Laubser dropped a 7-1 tiebreaker at No. 2, and Max Hinnisdaels and Olle Thestrup came up on the short end of a 7-4 tiebreaker at No. 3, giving Georgia Tech the doubles point.
Georgia Tech showed depth throughout its singles lineup, gaining straight-set wins on courts three, four and five.
On court one, Krickovic, ranked 84th nationally, won his first set 7-5 from ninth-ranked Christopher Eubank, and took the Top 10 player to a tiebreaker for their third set, dropping that point 10-5. It was Krickovic's first singles loss of the spring season.
Hinnisdaels posted a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Carlos Benito on court two to remain undefeated in singles this spring. Thestrup took Nathan Rakitt to three sets on court six before losing the third-set tiebreaker.
The Tigers are now 4-2 on the season. Georgia Tech goes to 4-3.
Sunday, the Tigers continue their road swing. Auburn plays at Clemson (4-4) in a 10 a.m. CT match at the Clemson Hoke Sloan Tennis Center.
Georgia Tech 6, Auburn 1
Singles
Christopher Eubanks (GT) def. Marko Krickovic (AU) 5-7, 6-4, 0-1 (10-5)
Max Hinnisdaels (AU) def. Carlos Benito (GT) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
Andrew Li (GT) def. Dante Saleh (AU) 6-1, 6-2
Michael Kay (GT) def. Conner Huertas del Pino (AU) 6-4, 6-4
Cole Fiegel (GT) def. Brandon Laubser (AU) 7-5, 6-4
Nathan Rakitt (GT) def. Olle Thestrup (AU) 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (xx)
Doubles
Marko Krickovic/Edward Nguyen (AU) def. Michael Kay/Casey Kay (GT) 6-3
Christopher Eubanks/Carlos Benito (GT) def. Conner Huertas del Pino/Brandon Laubser (AU) 7-6 (7-1)
Nathan Rakitt/Andrew Li (GT) def. Max Hinnisdaels/Olle Thestrup (AU) 7-6 (7-4)
Played indoors; Length of match: 2:12; Order of finish: Doubles 1,2,3; Singles 3,4,5,1,2,6