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 Freshman Nathan Rakitt moved to 3-0 in dual matches. |
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Tech Falls to Fresno State, 4-3, in ITA Kick-Off Opener
Jan. 25, 2013
Riverside, Calif. - Georgia Tech won the doubles point for the third time in three matches this season, but the Yellow Jackets could capture only two points in singles and fell to Fresno State, 4-3, Friday afternoon in the first round of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend event.
Vikram Hundal and Nathan Rakitt captured straight-set victories at No. 2 and 4 singles to stake the Yellow Jackets (2-1) to a 3-0 lead, but Tech was unable to hold on for the victory, dropping four three-set matches.
Matches were originally scheduled to be held in Los Angeles on the campus of host Southern California, but due to inclement weather, play moved to an indoor facility in Riverside, Calif. after an hour and a half delay. Tech will face San Diego State, a 4-0 loser to No. 2 USC Friday, in a consolation contest Saturday at 6 p.m. Eastern time.
Georgia Tech got off to its fast start in doubles with wins at No. 1 and No. 3. At the top spot #3 Juan Spir and Vikram Hundal bested Reid deLaubenfels and Nikolas Papic 8-5, improving to 6-0 this spring and 14-1 overall, while Nathan Rakitt and Colin Edwards topped Sai Kartik Nakireddi and Felipe Fritz 8-3.
As singles play began, the Yellow Jackets lead continued to build with wins at No. 2, in Hundal's 6-2, 6-3 win over Jeremy Quiroz, and No. 4, with Rakitt defeating Papic 6-0, 6-4.
deLaubenfels gave Fresno State life and brought the overall score to 3-1 with an upset victory at the top spot over #32 Spir 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. Kartik followed suit to give the 'Dogs the momentum as he notched another point at No. 3 in an extremely close 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 win over Eduardo Segura.
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The Bulldogs then tied the score a three apiece as Sam MacNeil dominated the third set at No. 5 winning 4-6, 7-5 (5), 6-1 over Garrett Gordon. After trading 6-1 first and second sets, Fritz battled all the way through the third and eventually defeated Anish Sharma 1-6, 6-1, 7-5 to clinch the upset victory for the Bulldogs.
#69 Fresno State 4, #60 Georgia Tech 3
Jan. 25, 2013 - Riverside, Calif.
DOUBLES SINGLES
(2) Segura/Gordon (GT) vs. MacNeil/Quiroz (FSt) - DNF
(3) Rakitt/Edwards (GT) def. Kartik/Fritz (FSt) - 8-3
Georgia Tech wins doubles point.
Order of finish: 3, 1
(1) Reid DeLaubenfels (FSt) def. #32 Juan Spir (GT) - 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
(2) Vikram Hundal (GT) def. Jeremy Quiroz (FSt) - 6-2, 6-3
(3) Sai Kartik Nakireddi (FSt) def. Eduardo Segura - 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
(4) Nathan Rakitt (GT) def. Nikolas Papic (FSt) - 6-0, 6-4
(5) Sam MacNeil (FSt) def. Garrett Gordon (GT) - 4-6, 7-5 (5), 6-1
(6) Felipe Fritz (FSt) def. Anish Sharma (GT) - 1-6, 6-1, 7-5*
Order of finish: 2, 4, 1, 3, 5, 6*
