Feb. 26, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. - Despite a strong start in doubles play, Auburn could not match the same success in singles, dropping its opening match 4-2 to No. 52 Princeton in the Blue-Gray National Tennis Classic in Montgomery on Friday.
Auburn won the doubles point contesting a trip of competitive matches. On court three, Max Hinnisdaels and Joseph Van Dooren posted a 7-5 win over Diego Vives and Jimmy Wasserman. On court one, Princeton's tandem of Alex Day and Luke Gamble was a 6-4 winner over Auburn's Marko Krickovic and Edward Nguyen, leaving the deciding match on court two, where Conner Huertas del Pino and Brandon Laubser clinched the doubles point for Auburn with a 6-4 win.
"We were solid again in doubles at one, two and three, which always gives us a chance," said Auburn head coach Eric Shore. "That's been a strength for us this year. But we knew they would push back in singles and they did. I think they were a little tougher than we were there. Luckily, they don't decide the NCAA tournament bids in February, and we have a chance to play better tomorrow."
Junior Dante Saleh made quick work of his singles opponent on court four, posting a decisive 6-2, 6-1 victory over Princeton's Joshua Yablon for the first singles decision of the match.
Auburn, now 7-3 on the season, will face No. 67 Boise State Saturday at 3 p.m. CT in consolation round action. All matches are being at the Lagoon Park Tennis Center (2855 Lagoon Park Drive) in Montgomery.
Auburn's next home match is Friday, March 4, when the Tigers open their SEC season against No. 7 Texas A&M at 2 p.m. CT. All home matches are played at the Yarbrough Tennis Center (771 Yarbrough Farms Blvd., Auburn) and admission is free.
Princeton 4, Auburn 2
Singles
Diego Vives (PU) def. Max Hinnisdaels (AU) 7-6, 6-4
Thomas Colautti (PU) def. Marko Krickovic (AU) 6-4, 7-5
Alex Day (PU) def. Conner Huertas del Pino (AU) 1-6, 6-0, 7-5
Dante Saleh (AU) def. Joshua Yablon (PU) 6-2, 6-1
Joseph Van Dooren (AU) vs. Luke Gamble (PU) 6-7, 6-6 unfinished
Kial Kaiser (PU) def. Brandon Laubser (AU) 7-6, 6-4
Doubles
Alex Day/Luke Gamble (PU) def. Marko Krickovic/Edward Nguyen (AU) 6-4
Conner Huertas del Pino/Brandon Laubser (AU) def. Thomas Colautti/Joshua Yablon (PU) 6-4
Max Hinnisdaels/Joseph Van Dooren (AU) def. Diego Vives/Jimmy Wasserman (PU) 7-5
Length of match: 3:10; Order of finish: Doubles 3,1,2; Singles 4,1,6, 2,3