Clemson Defeats Florida Atlantic 4-3

March 18, 2011

BOCA RATON, FL – Derek DiFazio defeated Ervin Garibovic 6-4, 0-6, 7-5 at number two singles in clinching the match and leading Clemson to a 4-3 victory over Florida Atlantic in men¹s tennis at Patch Tree Park in Boca Raton, FL, Friday.

With the win, Clemson improves to 12-3 overall this season, while Florida Atlantic falls to 7-7 this season. The Tigers are ranked 57th nationally in the latest ITA poll.

Derek DiFazio improved to 8-4 this season, and he is now 6-2 on the year when playing at number two singles. In the third set, he was down 5-2 and rallied to win five straight games to claim the set and match, giving the Tigers the fourth team point.

Clemson swept all three doubles matches to collect the first team point. Dominique Maden and Zachary Rigsby were also victorious in their singles matches setting up the decisive match at number two singles.

The Tigers will play at #25 Miami in an Atlantic Coast Conference match Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.

“Derek stepped up big for us battling back from six team match points down,” said Clemson Head Coach Chuck McCuen. “He showed a great deal of maturity, heart, and fight closing out the match for us. Dominique Maden and Zachary Rigsby are continuing to train hard and show their development as competitors. With solid communication and tactics, this was the best we have looked in doubles all year. We are looking forward to Sunday’s match against Miami, and if you are a Tiger fan in South Florida we would love to see you out there supporting us.”

Doubles 1. Y. Maden/Rigsby (CU) d. Abdelnour/Garibovic (FAU) 8-6 2. DiFazio/Robert Pietrucha (CU) d. Marc Wakim/ El Kheshen (FAU) 8-6 3. Juan Bolona/Meza (CU) d. Madon/Webb (FAU) 8-6

Singles 1. Marc Abdelnour (FAU) d. Yannick Maden (CU) 6-0, 6-1 2. Derek DiFazio (CU) d. Ervin Garibovic (FAU) 6-4, 0-6, 7-5 3. Daniel Vardag (FAU) d. Kevin Galloway (CU) 6-2, 6-2 4. Oliver Webb (FAU) d. Gerardo Meza (CU) 6-3, 6-4 5. Dominique Maden (CU) d. Omar El Kheshen (FAU) 6-4, 6-2 6. Zachary Rigsby (CU) d. Derek Madon (FAU) 6-4, 6-1