Feb. 19, 2016
Auburn, Ala. - Auburn men's tennis won both matches of a double header against Mercer on Friday at the Yarbrough Tennis Center in Auburn. In the morning match the Tigers won 5-2, and swept Mercer in the second match 7-0.
Coach Shore said, "We've got to improve on our play outdoors. Our doubles has been a strength all year and I thought that continued today. I thought Marko did a really good job for us today."
In the morning match, Auburn played consistently across the board to top Mercer in two doubles matches. Marko Krickovic and Edward Nguyen defeated Arnav Mohanty and Arsav Mohanty 6-1 on No. 1, Conner Huertas and Brandon Laubser defeated Sam Philp and Ruben Vanoppen on No.2. Maxime Hinnisdaels and Joseph Van Dooren's match against Fernando Guardia and Anderson Scarpa on No. 3 was not completed.
Dante Saleh surged ahead quickly in singles, winning his first set 6-0 against Arnav Mohanty. He was the first to finish on court three, winning his match 6-0, 6-2. Marko Krickovic was the second to win his match against Sam Philp 6-4, 6-1 on court two.
Freshman Brandon Laubser clinched the match with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Fernando Guardia on court five. Conner Huertas topped Anderson Scarpa 6-3, 6-3 on court four, and Maxime Hinnisdaels lost a hard-fought match against Nicolas Guillon 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.
In the evening match, Auburn continued its winning ways and topped Mercer in doubles. Marko Krikovic and Edward Nguyen defeated Arnav Mohanty and Arsav Mohanty 6-2 on No. 1, Conner Huertas and Brandon Laubser handed Sam Philp and Ruben Vanoppen a 7-5 loss on No. 2. Joseph Van Dooren and Dante Selah's match against Fernando Guardia and Anderson Scarpa on No. 3 was not complete.
In singles, Connor Huertas was the first to finish with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Arnav Mohanty on court 3. Dante Saleh finished second with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Anderson Scarpa on court 4. Conner Huertas handled Fernando Guardia in a 6-4, 6-3 on court 6.
Senior Marco Krickovic handed Nicolas Guillon a 6-3, 6-2 defeat on court 1. Brandon Laubser took care of business on court 5 with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Arsav Mohanty. Max Hinnisdaels finished out the day with a hard fought 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 win over Sam Philp to complete the sweep.
The Tigers are now (5-2) on the season. Mercer is (2-6 before Jax St Thursday). Auburn is back in action next weekend Friday through Sunday at the Blue-Gray Tournament 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.
Auburn 5, Mercer 2
Singles
Nicolas Guillon (MU) def. Maxime Hinnisdaels (AU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Marko Krickovic (AU) def. Sam Philp (MU) 6-4, 6-1
Dante Saleh (AU) def. Arnav Mohanty (MU) 6-0, 6-2
Conner Huertas (AU) def. Anderson Scarpa (MU) 6-3, 6-3
Brandon Laubser (AU) def. Fernando Guardia (MU) 6-2, 7-5
Arsav Mohanty (MU) def. Edward Nguyen (AU) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles
Marko Krickovic/Edward Nguyen (AU) def. Arnav Mohanty/Arsav Mohanty (MU) 6-1
Conner Huertas/Brandon Laubser (AU) def. Sam Philp/Ruben Vanoppen (MU) 6-3
Maxime Hinnisdaels/Joseph Van Dooren (AU) vs. Fernando Guardia/Anderson Scarpa (MU) 4-3 unfinished
Length of match: 2:30; Order of finish: Doubles 1,2; Singles 6, 2, 1, 4, 3, 5
Auburn 7, Mercer 0
Singles
Marko Krickovic (AU) def. Nicolas Guillon (MU) 6-3, 6-2
Max Hinnisdaels (AU) def. Sam Philp (MU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
Conner Huertas (AU) def. Arnav Mohanty (MU) 6-3, 6-0
Dante Saleh (AU) def. Anderson Scarpa (MU) 6-0, 6-4
Brandon Laubser (AU) def. Arsav Mohanty (MU) 6-3, 6-4
Joseph Van Dooren (AU) def. Fernando Guardia (MU) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles
Marko Krickovic/ Edward Nguyen (AU) def. Arnav Mohanty/Arsav Mohanty (MU) 6-2
Conner Huertas/Brandon Laubser (AU) def. Sam Philp/Ruben Vanoppen (MU) 7-5
Joseph Van Dooren/Dante Saleh (AU) vs. Fernando Guardia/Andreson Scarpa (MU) 5-4 unfinished
Length of match: 2:17; Order of finish: Doubles 1,2,3; Singles 3, 4, 6, 1, 5, 2