DURHAM, N.C.- No. 23 Auburn fell in a close match to No. 41 Cornell in the first round of the NCAA Championships hosted by Duke University on Saturday. Auburn's 4-3 loss puts an end to the 2023 season with a 17-12 overall record.
The top Auburn doubles team of Raul Dobai and Finn Murgett started the doubles point strong by defeating Adit Sinha and Nathan Mao 6-1, but the Big Red won both other doubles matches to claim the doubles point.
In singles, Auburn's Dobai, Billy Blaydes and Alejandro Moreno each received quick first set wins to take the momentum in the match. Blaydes dominated in his match with Aman Sharma, winning 6-0, 6-2 to tie the match at 1-1. Murgett, Tyler Stice and Jan Galka each came from behind to tie their respective first sets 5-5. Murgett and Galka each fell in their sets 7-5, while Stice dropped his first set in a tiebreaker.
Moreno picked up a two-set victory over Adit Sinha 6-2, 6-2 and moments later Raul Dobai won his match over Samuel Paquette by a 6-4, 7-5 score. This gave Auburn a 3-1 team lead in the match.
Both Stice and Murgett, the only remaining matches, forced a third set with the Tigers needing to claim either of the two singles matches to advance to the NCAA Second Round. Stice ultimately fell in his match to 88th ranked Radu Papoe 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-4 and Cornell's Petar Teodorovic clinched the match win over Murgett by a 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 score.
With the victory, Cornell improved their overall season record to 18-6 and advanced to the NCAA second round on Sunday.
The Tigers finish the season with their 39th NCAA postseason bid in program history (second under Head Coach Bobby Reynolds) and four victories over top-25 opponents.
#41 Cornell 4, #23 Auburn 3
Singles results:
1. #88 Radu Papoe (COR) def. #51 Tyler Stice (AUB) 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 6-4
2. #125 Alejandro Moreno (AUB) def. Adit Sinha (COR) 6-2, 6-2
3. Petar Teodorovic (COR) def. #119 Finn Murgett (AUB) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
4. Nathan Mao (COR) def. Jan Galka (AUB) 7-5, 6-3
5. Raul Dobai (AUB) def. Samuel Paquette (COR) 6-4, 7-5
6. Billy Blaydes (AUB) def. Aman Sharma (COR) 6-0, 6-2
Doubles results:
1. #17 Raul Dobai/Finn Murgett (AUB) def. Adit Sinha/Nathan Mao (COR) 6-1
2. Petar Teodorovic/Samuel Paquette (COR) def. Jan Galka/Billy Blaydes (AUB) 6-1
3. Radu Papoe/Aman Sharma (COR) def. Tyler Stice/Alejandro Moreno (AUB) 6-4